-' 


RECOLLECTIONS 


OF 


A   SOUTHERN    MATH ON 


•  Me  thinketh  it  accordant  to  reaon 
To  tellon  you  alle  the  condition 
Of  echo  of  hem,  ^o  as  it  soumed  to  me  ; 
And  \vhiclie  they  weren  ;  and  of  what  dogre  ; 
And  eke  in  what  avail  that  they  wero  inne  ' 
And  at  a  knight,  then  wol  I  lirste  beginne."* 


NEW    YOEK: 
G.  P.  PUTNAM   &   CO.,     10   PARK    PLACE 

1852. 


PEEFACE- 


THE  "  SOUTHERN  MATRON"  was  penned  in  the  same 
spirit,  and  with  the  same  object,  as  the  "  New-England 
Housekeeper"  —  to  present  as  exact  a  picture  as  possible 
of  local  habits  and  manners.  Every  part,  except  the 
"  love-passages,"  is  founded  in  events  of  actual  occurrence. 
Should  it  be  thought  that  the  views  of  human  life  in 
the  two  works,  as  has  been  suggested  in  private,  have  too 
much  sunshine  about  them,  I  can  only  reply,  that,  to  have 
made  different  descriptions,  I  must  have  resorted  to  imagi 
nation  instead  of  fact,  as  far  as  my  personal  observation 
is  concerned. 

Perhaps,  had  I  examined  the  details  of  the  police-courts 
for  my  Northern  sketch,  or  the  registry  of  the  magistrate- 
freeholders  for  my  Southern,  I  might  have  found  gloomier 
scenes  ;  but  they  would  not  have  been  such  as  Clarissa 
Packard  and  Cornelia  Wilton  would  recognize  in  their 
daily  experience. 

Some  apology  may  be  necessary,  as  a  matter  of  taste, 
for  the  frequent  introduction  of  the  negro  dialect  ;  but  the 

M23462 


IV  PREFACE. 

careful  reader  will  perceive  that  it  has  only  been  done 
when  essential  to  the  development  of  individual  character. 
I  am  indebted  to  one  Northern  and  two  Southern 
friends  for  the  original  materials  of  the  story  of  Betsey, 
tlie  servant-maid,  the  Deer  Hunt,  and  My  brotJier  Berts 
education,  all  of  which  I  have  modified  to  my  narrative. 

c.  a. 

Charleston,  S.  C.,  1837. 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  A  SOUTHERN  MATRON, 


CHAPTER  I. 

OLD    JACQUE. 

"  Onward, 

O'ershadowed  more  by  the  green  underwood, 
Some  slight-raised  mounds  showed  where  the  dead  were  laid. 
Few  gravestones  told  who  slept  beneath  the  turf. 
(Perchance  the  heart  that  deeply  mourns  needs  not 
Such  poor  remembrancer.)    The  forest  flowers 
Themselves  had  fondly  clustered  there — and  white 
Azalias  with  sweet  breath  stood  round  about, 
Like  fair  young  maidens  mourning  o'er  their  dead. 
In  some  sweet  solitude  like  this  I  would 
That  I  might  sleep  my  last  long  dreamless  sleep." 

ANNA  MARIA  WELLS. 

"  He  sought  him  through  the  bands  of  fight, 

Mid  many  a  pile  of  slaughtered  dead, 
Beneath  the  pale  moon's  misty  light, 

With  form  that  shuddered  at  each  tread: 
For  every  step  in  blood  was  taken." 

W.  G.  SIMMS. 

I  WRITE  in  my  paternal  mansion.  The  Ashley,  with  a  grace 
ful  sweep,  glitters  like  a  lake  before  me,  reflecting  the  sky  and 
the  bending  foliage.  Occasionally  a  flat,  with  its  sluggish  mo 
tion,  or  a  boat,  with  its  urging  sail,  passes  along,  and  the  woods 
echo  to  the  song  or  the  horn  of  the  negro,  waking  up  life  in  the 
solitude.  The  avenue  of  noble  oaks,  under  which  I  sported  in 
childhood,  still  spread  their  strong  arms,  and  rustle  in  the  pass 
ing  breeze.  My  children  are  frolicking  on  the  lawn  where  my 


PECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 


first  footsteps  were  watched  by  tender  parents,  and  one  of  those 
parents  rests  beneath  yonder  circling  cedars.  Change  !  Same 
ness  !  What  a  perpetual  chime  those  words  ring  on  the  ear  of 
memory  !  My  children  love  to  lead  me  to  the  spot  where  they 
may  spell  the  inscription  on  one  princely  monument  to  my 
grandfather,  and  hear  the  tale  I  have  to  tell  of  the  fair,  the 
good,  and  the  brave  who  sleep  in  that  enclosure,  sacred  to  the 
domestic  dead.  There  is  but  one  inscription  there,  for  we  were 
as  on  a 

I  sometimes  feel  a  joy  that  all  are  here — my  grand-parents  ; 
the  mother  who  gave  me  being ;  the  baby-sister,  who  looked 
like  a  sunbeam  on  the  world  and  passed  away ;  my  first-born, 
he  who  was  twined  *  to  my  heart's  pulses  by  tics  as  strong  as 
those  which  call  up  its  natural  vibration  ;  my  noble  brothers, 
and  my  poor  cousin  Anna,  who  planted  herself  the  rose  that 
blossoms  on  her  grave  !  The  sun  gilds  the  cedars  with  his 
brightest  morning  hue  ;  they  shelter  the  sleepers  from  his  noon 
day  beams  ;  and  when  the  moon  rises  over  the  cleared  fields, 
showing  an  amphitheatre  of  distant  woods,  the  cedar-mound 
stands  out  in  full  relief,  and  those  dark  sentinels  seem  to  guard 
the  dead.  I  thank  thee,  Heaven,  that  all  I  love  are  here  ! — 
that  stranger-dust  mingles  not  with  mine  !  The  tumult  of  the 
city  rolls  not  across  this  sanctuary ;  careless  curiosity  treads 
not  on  these  secluded  graves  ;  nor  does  the  idler  cull  the  blos 
soms  that  affection  has  planted,  or  that  time,  with  unsparing 
hand,  has  hung  in  graceful  wreaths  or  clustered  beauty  around. 
No  rude  sound  disturbs  the  silence.  The  whippoorwill  softens, 
by  her  melancholy  lay,  the  mockbird's  tale  of  love  and  joy. 
The  hare  steals  lightly  over  the  hillocks,  and  the  serpent  twines 
his  silken  folds  among  the  herbage  ;  yet  do  they  not  mar,  like 
man,  the  sacred  relics  of  memory,  nor  with  jest  and  profanity 
disturb  the  gloom. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON. 


My  grandfather  fell  early  in  our  national  struggle  for  liberty, 
and  his  bones  might  have  whitened  on  the  battle-field,  had  not 
a  locket,  containing  the  fair  hair  of  my  grandmother,  suspended 
from  his  neck,  revealed  him  to  a  faithful  servant.  Good  old 
Jacquc  !  How  often  have  I  climbed  his  knees  to  hear  his  sto 
ries  of  the  past !  I  even  love  to  recall  the  peculiar  accent  with 
which  he  beguiled  our  evenings,  when  appointed  by  our  parents 
to  superintend  the  younger  servants  in  their  absence.  I  can 
fancy  I  ^ee  him  now,  in  winter,  throwing  the  oak  logs  or  light- 
wood  knots  on  the  wide  hearth,  standing  (for  he  never  would 
sit  in  the  house,  even  in  the  presence  of  the  children,  unless 
when  holding  us  on  his  knees)  with  a  perpetual  habit  of  con 
scientious  trust  •  or,  in  summer,  seeking  some  sunny  spot,  and, 
with  his  blue  handkerchief  tied  round  his  head,  employing  his 
feeble  hands  in  net  or  basket-making.  Rarely  could  he  resist 
our  Southern  entreaty  of,  Do,  if  you  please,  daddy  Jacque,  tell 
us  about  grandpapa's  locket,  and  how  he  died. 

•  Jacque  had  been  intrusted  with  the  entire  control  of  his 
young  master's  household  during  the  term  of  his  education  in 
Europe  ;  and  while  the  confidence  placed  in  him  had  somewhat 
increased  his  self-conceit,  it  never  induced  him  to  take  a  liberty 
beyond  those  which  his  peculiar  situation  authorized.  Rose- 
land,  from  the  beauty  of  its  location  and  its  valuable  paintings, 
was  frequently  visited  by  strangers  in  the  absence  of  its  orphan 
.proprietor,  and  it  is  a  singular  fact  that  Jacque  was  never 
known  to  ascend  the  hall  stairs  on  such  occasions.  He  pointed 
out  the  way  with  a  bow  and  nourish  of  profound  respect,  and 
met  the  guests  by  a  private  stairway  after  they  had  ascended. 

His  master  returned,  married  a  lovely  and  highly-educated 
Southern  girl,  and  the  following  year  Roseland  was  made  doubly 
beautiful  by  the  birth  of  a  noble  boy,  the  pride  of  the  house  and 
plantation.  This  happiness  was  not  of  long  duration,  for  the 


8  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

times  approached  which  tried  American  souls,  and  the  young 
father  was  called  from  the  peaceful  sunshine  of  his  home,  from 
the  caresses  of  his  wife  and  the  prattle  of  his  child,  to  the  wild 
and  stormy  hardships  of  war.  The  night  before  his  departure 
his  wife  led  him  to  his  likeness  by  Copley,  which  still  hangs  in 
the  hall,  and  perused  his  lineaments  long  and  earnestly.  She 
gazed  on  the  manly  form  beside  her,  then  on  the  graceful  but 
inanimate  representative,  took  in  the  loving  glance  of  the  living 
eye,  and  compared  it  with  its  calmer  image  |  then,  with  a  bitter 
sigh,  sank  into  his  arms.  The  young  soldier  comforted  her 
with  a  husband's  love,  and  drew  her  to  the  bedside  of  their 
sleeping  boy.  Little  Henry  started  from  his  repose  as  they 
bent  over  him  with  whispered  words,  clung  to- his  father's  neck 
a  moment,  and  then,  closing  his  eyes  like  the  bell  of  a  twilight 
flower,  sank  upon  his  pillow. 

With  his  beautiful  wife  still  resting  on  his  arm,  the  father 
took  from  his  desk  a  locket  containing  her  hair,  threw  the  black 
ribbon  from  which  it  was  suspended  about  his  neck,  and  kissed 
it  fondly.  The  night  passed  heavily  away,  and  darkness  heav 
ier  than  night  hung  over  Roseland,  when,  on  the  following  morn 
ing,  he  departed,  attended  by  Jacque. 

In  an  engagement  with  the  British.  Jacque  lost  sight  of  his 
master  ;  the  enemy  were  victorious,  and  the  Americans  re 
treated,  leaving  their  dead  unprotected.  When  the  pursuers 
were  exhausted,  Jacque  searched  with  anxiety  among  the  living, 
and,  finding  no  trace  of  him,  returned  with  sad,  cautious,  but 
resolute  steps  to  the  field  of  death.  Among  the  disfigured  re 
mains  he  vainly  endeavored  for  a  long  time  to  distinguish  him  ; 
he  who  had  so  lately  reposed  in  the  arms  of  happy  love,  had 
found  a  cold  and  bloody  bed  with  the  promiscuous  slain,  among 
whom  not  even  faithful  friendship  could  detect  his  semblance. 
At  length  Jacque  found  on  a  mutilated  form  a  locket,  with  its 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  9 

braid  of  auburn  hair.  He  shook  his  head  with  an  expression 
of  satisfied  grief,  and  wiped  the  bloody  jewel  with  his  coat 
sleeve.  Then  bearing  the  body  to  a  stream,  cleansed  it  rever 
ently,  dug  a  grave,  and  laid  it  in  its  place  of  rest.  Touched 
and  kindled  by  affectionate  remembrance,  he  knelt  on  the  pliant 
mould,  and  offered  up  an  untutored  prayer. 

It  was  a  dark  and  stormy  evening  when  he  returned,  and  my 
grandmother  had  kept  her  young  son  awake,  with  gentle  artifice, 
for  companionship.  A  footstep  was  heard  in  the  piazza,  and 
Dash  gave  a  growl  between  warning  and  recognition,  while 
Henry,  clapping  his  hands,  exclaimed,  "  Papa  !  papa  !"  His 
mother  started  as  Jacque  entered,  and  exclaimed,  "  Where  is 
your  master  ?" 

Jacque  was  silent,  and  stood  wiping  from  his  cheeks  the 
streaming  tears. 

"  Tell  me,  Jacque,  for  the  love  of  God,"  cried  she,  clasping 
the  negro's  arm,  "  where  is  your  master  ?" 

"  Jacque  got  no  maussa  now,"  said  he,  sobbing,  "  but  little 
Maus  Henry." 

A  long  and  piercing  shriek  broke  forth  from  the  widow's 
stricken  heart,  and  she  fell  senseless  on  the  floor  beside  her 
frightened  son. 

The  intelligence  spread  rapidly  through  the  plantation. 
Shrieks  and  lamentations  were  heard  from  hut  to  hut — wild 
gesticulations  were  seen  by  the  kindled  torchlights  among  the 
young,  as  they  cried,  "  My  maussa  dead,  poor  me  !" — while  the 
old,  rocking  on  their  seats  and  lifting  their  hands,  responded, 
"  The  Lord's  will  be  done.  He  knows." 

The  following  day  all  was  calm  but  the  widow's  heart ;  there 
the  bitter  strife  of  a  tiew  sorrow  raged  like  a  tempest.  Even 
Henry's  presence  was  intolerable.  Poor  boy  !  his  very  step 
was  harsh  to  her,  as,  with  a  paper  cap  and  wooden  sword,  he 

1* 


10  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

marched  about  her  apartment,  threatening  to  revenge  his  father's 
death. 

Jacque  was  for  several  days  revolving  a  measure  of  impor 
tance  in  his  own  mind ;  and  at  length,  determining  to  give  it 
utterance,  went  to  claim  a  few  moments'  attention  from  his 
mistress. 

She  could  only  shade  her  eyes,  as  if  to  shut  out  too  painful 
an  object,  and  with  one  hand  pressed  closely  on  her  heart,  as 
though  to  hush  its  tumult. 

"  Jacque  don't  mean  no  disrespec,"  said  the  negro,  bowing,  as 
if  his  errand  had  something  in  it  of  dignity  ;  "  my  missis  know 
dat  as  my  missis  is  poorly,  and  Maussa  Henry  an't  got  of  no 
size,  Jacque  has  to  turn  over  what  is  best  to  be  done  for  de 
family  ;  and  one  great  trouble  it  is  on  my  mind,  dat  my  maussa, 
what  provide  like  one  lord  even  for  niggers,  let  alone  white 
folks,  should  lay  out  mong  de  wolf  and  varmin.  when  we  could 
gie  'em  such  good  commodation  here,  and  keep  our  eye  on  him, 
to  say  nothing  of  Christian  buryin." 

My  grandmother  was  instantly  roused  ;  and,  starting  up,  with 
an  animated  voice  she  said,  "  My  dear,  good  Jacque,  can  he  be 
brought  to  me  ?  God  bless  you  for  the  thought  !" 

A  motive  for  action  was  now  given  her,  and  her  heart  seemed 
lightened  of  a  part  of  its  burden.  It  was  a  consolation  to  her 
to  take  Henry  by  the  hand,  and  go  forth  in  search  of  an  ap 
propriate  spot  for  her  husband's  grave.  It  seemed  to  her  ex 
cited  imagination  like  preparing  an  apartment  for  an  absent 
friend. 

"  Here,  mamma,"  said  her  prattling  boy,  "  is  a  pretty  place. 
Papa  used  to  stand  under  this  tree  and  throw  chips  into  the 
pond  for  Dash  to  bring  to  me." 

"  No,  my  son,"  said  his  mother,  musingly  ;  "  it  is  too  far.  I 
must  see  the  spot  from  my  window.  Look,  Henry,  at  the  clus- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  11 

ter  of  cedars  on  that  slightly-rising  ground.  See  how  the  sun 
shines  on  the  tree-tops,  while  all  beneath  is  gloom  !  Like  my 
hopes,"  she  continued,  mentally,  "  so  lately  seeming  bright  wlien 
all  was  darkness.  That  shall  be  the  spot,  Henry,"  she  con 
tinued,  "  and  you  must  see  that  I  am  laid  there  too." 

The  boy  looked  wistfully  at  her,  and  said,  "  And  where  shall 
I  go,  mamma  ?" 

He  had  unconsciously  touched  the  right  string  ;  and,  as  she 
stooped  to  kiss  his  forehead,  she  patiently  resolved  to  wait  God's 
will,  and  live  for  him. 

While  these  scenes  of  tenderness  were  beguiling  the  feelings 
of  the  widow,  Jacque,  with  a  band  of  fellow-servants,  went  on 
his  melancholy  errand.  Even  to  the  imagination,  which  only 
partially  illuminated  the  uneducated  mind  of  the  negro,  the  con 
trast  was  strong  between  the  aspect  of  that  now  silent  field,  and 
the  recent  period  when  contending  forces,  with  weapons  flashing 
in  the  sun,  and  faces  tinged  with  expectation,  and  footsteps  timed 
to  the  march  of  war,  had  passed  before  him.  It  was  a  moon 
light  night,  one  of  those  nights  which  seem  to  exaggerate  bright 
ness  and  stillness,  when  Jacque  led  the  way  to  his  master's  rude 
grave. 

"  'Tis  a  pretty  sight,  my  young  maussas  and  missis,"  he  used 
to  say,  when  relating  this  story,  while  we  stood  with  inward 
tremor,  almost  expecting  the  pictures  of  our  grandparents  to 
start  from  their  frames  ;  "  'tis  a  pretty  thing  for  see  one  corpse 
lay  out  handsome  on  he  natural  bed,  wid  he  head  to  de  east, 
and  he  limb  straight,  and  he  eye  shut,  and  he  white  shroud,  and 
de  watchers  sing  psalm  ;  but  'twas  altogedder  onnatural  to  see 
my  poor  maussa  wid  de  ragiments  on,  and  de  varmin  busy  bout 
him,  and  de  moonlight  shine  down,  and  de  owl  hoot.  Dem  nig 
gers  (natural  fools)  get  scare  when  we  get  to  maussa  self ;  den 
says  I, l  My  men,  how  you  been  let  folks  say  dat  we  have  Chris- 


12  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

tian  grave,  while  our  maussa,  what  fed  us  and  kivered  us,  was 
laying  mong  wolf?  It's  ail  ugly  job,  but  to  it,  my  men  ;  and 
as  it  is  a  disrespec  to  sing  '  heave  ho,'  one  of  you  strike  up  a 
hymn  to  help  us  on.' " 

There  was  no  ear  to  listen  to  those  sounds  as  they  rose  up 
on  the  midnight  air,  no  eye  to  appreciate  that  intrepidity  which 
could  conquer  the  dread  of  superstitious  ignorance.  I  am 
wrong.  He  who  formed  hearts  in  one  mould  did  not  disregard 
them. 

They  placed  the  remains  of  the  soldier  in  the  coffin  brought 
for  them,  and  closed  it  reverently. 

The  widow,  nerved  for  the  obsequies  of  her  husband,  reclined 
in  silence,  with  Henry  by  her  side.  Friends  from  the  city  and 
neighboring  plantations  sat  or  stood  in  whispering  circles, 
shrouded  by  scarfs,  and  hoods,  and  weepers,  each  holding  a  sprig 
of  rosemary  twined  with  white  paper  ;  the  glasses  and  pictures 
were  turned  to  the  wall,  and  every  article  of  taste  covered  with 
a  white  cloth.  Labor  was  suspended,  the  household  servants 
stood  in  the  piazza  clothed  in  mourning,  and  the  field-slaves, 
with  such  little  testimonials  of  external  respect  as  they  could 
beg  or  borrow,  arranged  themselves  below.  The  coffin  was 
brought  to  the  piazza,  its  costly  ornaments  riveted,  and  little 
Henry  held  up  to  see  the  inscription.  In  the  city,  after  a  re 
cent  decease,  the  widow  would  have  remained  secluded  in  the 
formality  of  grief;  but  in  this  case  there  seemed  to  be  a  call 
for  a  representative  mourner ;  and.  taking  Henry's  hand,  she 
followed  the  six  negro  female  waiters  dressed  in  white,  with 
napkins  pinned  over  their  shoulders,  who  were  preceded  by  the 
coffin,  which  was  borne  by  his  people,  attended  by  the  pall-bear 
ers,  friends  of  the  deceased.  The  procession  passed  on,  followed 
by  the  servants,  to  Cedar  Mound.  The  coffin  was  lowered, 
"  dust  to  dust"  was  pronounced  over  it,  and  the  earth  fell  upon 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  13 

its  glittering  decorations.  Henry  clung  to  his  mother,  crying, 
"  Papa,  come  back,"  while  the  lamentations  and  shrieking  howl 
of  the  negroes  filled  the  air.  The  widow  looked  on  with  zeal 
ous  scrutiny  until  the  last  spadeful  of  earth  was  deposited  on 
the  swelling  mound  ;  then  taking  her  son  home,  retired  to  her 
apartment,  where  her  heart  only  knew  its  own  bitterness. 

The  boy  soon  forgot,  in  childish  blessedness,  the  funeral  of 
his  father,  and  his  notes  of  happiness  rang  through  the  man 
sion  ;  but  how  achingly  did  his  mother's  thoughts  for  lingering 
years  dwell  in  sad  revery  on  her  husband's  grave.  And  it  is 
on  that  spot  that  my  eye  now  turns.  She  trained  the  various 
vines  over  its  white  paling,  and  planned  the  monument  sacred 
to  her  first  beloved.  There  little  Henry  loved  to  play  with  the 
falling  leaves,  or  gather  spring  flowers  ;  there  his  mother  laid 
her  head,  crowned  with  reverend  honors  ;  there  my  mother  lies  j 
and  there  may  my  limbs  be  borne  when  God  shall  call  my  spirit. 
But  no  gloom  rests  upon  it.  It  has  always  been  a  favorite 
scene  for  the  children  of  our  household.  It  is  not  enough  that 
grief  should  go  there  and  lay  down  its  earthly  treasure,  or  that 
old  age  should  moralize  beneath  its  shades  ;  happy  voices,  like 
Henry's,  may  still  be  heard  in  its  enclosure,  and  the  crisp  and 
fresh  winter  rose  that  my  own  Lewis  has  thrown  in  my  lap  he 
gathered  from  poor  cousin  Anna's  grave. 


CHAPTER  II. 

COLLEGE   FRIENDSHIP   AND   COLLEGE   LOVE. 

"  Look,  when  I  vow  I  weep  ;  and  vows  so  born, 
In  their  nativity  all  truth  appears." 

Midsummer  Night? s  Dream, 

"Too  soon,  oh  all  too  soon — will  corao 

In  later  years  the  spell, 
Touching  with  changing  hues  the  path 
Whore  once  but  sunlight  fell." 

FRANCES  S.  OSGOOD. 

FROM  the  day  of  his  father's  death,  Henry  was  monarch  of 
all  he  surveyed  ;  his  mother  gazed  on  him  with  eyes  of  untiring 
love  ;  the  elder  servants  fostered  him  with  protecting  pity  ;  and 
a  troop  of  young  ones  followed  his  steps,  to  serve  and  sport  with 
him. 

The  softness  inspired  by  constant  indulgence  was  counter 
acted  by  the  scenes  of  danger  to  which  this  very  indulgence 
permitted  him  to  resort.  He  managed  a  horse  incredibly  soon, 
and,  long  before  a  city  boy  had  poised  a  gun,  was  in  the  fields 
winning  his  own  dinner.  Though  startled  by  his  daring,  his 
mother  soon  felt  pride  in  the  deer's  horns  and  fox's  skins  that 
he  suspended  from  the  hall,  and  the  fish  caught  by  him  tasted 
fresher  than  from  any  other  hands.  Henry  was  one  of  the 
busiest  beings  on  the  wide  earth.  His  horse,  his  hounds,  his 
rabbits,  his  terrapins,  his  birds,  &c.,  gave  him  incessant  occupa 
tion  between  his  hours  of  study.  He  was  a  lad  of  wild  and 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  15 

warm  affections,  and  no  one  knew  whether  he  threw  his  arms 
around  his  horse's  or  his  mother's  neck  with  the  most  ardor. 
"With  great  quickness  of  capacity  he  contrived  to  glean  an  edu 
cation  from  his  private  tutor,  and  was  fitted  for  college.  Long 
were  the  discussions  on  his  future  destination  ;  at  length  it  was 
decided  that  he  should  enter  Harvard  College,  and  his  mother, 
with  a  sweet  magnanimity,  consented  to  give  up  her  boy  for 
those  long,  long  four  years. 

It  was  Henry's  sixteenth  birthday,  on  a  spring  morning,  when 
his  travelling  apparatus  was  deposited  in  the  piazza,  and  he 
stood  with  his  mother  to  see  Jacque  turn  the  last  key.  The 
field-hands  who  could  form  any  excuse  had  gathered  to  bid  him 
farewell.  They  were  all  very  sad,  and  one  (his  nurse)  was  weep 
ing  bitterly.  The  negro  children  stood  on  the  lawn  with  a 
thoughtful  air,  watching  the  preparations  for  his  departure. 
Henry  was  determined  to  bear  the  separation  like  a  man,  but 
Jacque  was  unusually  irritable.  He  kicked  the  dogs,  called  the 
little  boy  who  held  the  travelling-bag  a  "  black-faced  nigger," 
and  hit  the  leading  horse  such  a  blow  on  the  side  of  the  head, 
that  his  mistress  called  him  to  order. 

"  Eberyting  go  wrong  to-day,  missis,"  said  Jacque  in  an  apol 
ogetic  tone. 

Grandmamma  and  Henry  dared  not  trust  a  long  embrace. 
Why  should  they,  when  her  arms  had  encircled  him  sixteen 
years,  and  when  she  had  stolen  to  his  room  the  night  before 
arid  slept  on  his  very  pillow,  while  his  cheek  unabashed  nestled 
close  to  hers  ?  He  shook  hands  with  all  the  people,  and  "  God 
bless  my  young  maussa  !"  was  heard  from  one  to  the  other  as 
they  courtesied  or  bowed  low  at  his  farewell.  "  Don't  cry, 
Nanny,"  said  he  to  his  nurse,  as  her  audible  sobs  struggled 
through  the  apron  she  had  thrown  over  her  face. 

"  Old  Nanny  an't  gawing  for  see  Maus  Henry  no  more  in  dis 


16  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

worl !"  said  she.  "  Nanny  live  long  enough  now.  if  Maus  Henry 
no  stay  wid  clem  dat  raise  him." 

Jacque  had  stood  somewhat  aloof,  as  if  he  did  not  consider 
himself  as  belonging  to  the  general  group  ;  and  it  was  not  until 
after  Henry  was  seated  in  the  carriage  with  his  tutor,  that,  with 
an  evident  struggle  and  a  preparatory  hem  !  he  said, 

"  Good-by,  Maus  Henry.  Take  care  you  no  dishonor  de  fam 
ily.  Keep  straight,  my  young  maussa,  walk  close.*  Jacque 
can  manage  missis  bery  well,  and  netting  an't  gawing  for  trouble 
she ;  but  who  gawing  for  take  care  of  Maus  Henry  but  God 
Almighty?" 

Henry  was  admitted  pretty  fairly  at  Harvard,  and  his  colle 
giate  life  flowed  on  happily.  No  one  rode  such  spirited  horses 
as  he  ;  his  coat  was  cut  with  the  latest  touch  of  fashion  ;  the 
tie  of  his  cravat  was  a  study,  his  flute  inimitable  ]  the  graceful 
solemnity  of  his  bow  supplied  the  want  of  deeper  knowledge  ; 
and  a  happy  facility  of  expression  carried  him  over  his  recita 
tions  ;  many  a  poor  student  blessed  his  liberality,  and  many  a 
dull  one  his  quickness  ;  the  cheerfulness  of  his  manners  won 
him  golden  opinions  ;  and  he  who  had  been  attended  by  slaves 
from  infancy  was  seen  carrying  his  own  bowl  of  milkf  or  choco 
late  across  the  college-yard,  with  a  bow  and  jest  for  all ;  his 
classmates  caressed  him,  the  fair  smiled  upon  him,  and  Henry 
Wilton,  the  southerner,  was  pronounced  a  noble  fellow. 

He  graduated  with  a  secondary  college  honor,  but  it  was  suf 
ficient  to  hang  a  splendid  dinner  upon.  Happy  they  to  whom 
his  invitations  came  before  any  other  sealed  up  the  avenue  of 
acceptance  ! 

The  young  graduate  was   the  star  of  commencement-day. 

*  These  expressions  are  very  common  among  the  negroes,  and  signify, 
be  correct :  be  pious. 

f  A  custom  for  which  the  meals  in  the  commons  hall  is  now  a  substi 
tute. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  17 

His  sparkling  countenance,  graceful  manner,  fine  oratory,  and  a 
few  appropriate  compliments  to  the  ladies,  bore  off  peals  of  ap 
plause,  while  more  elaborate  essays  were  unheeded  by  the  au 
dience.  He  had  secured  for  his  entertainment  the  splendid  line 
of  Boston  belles,  who,  in  floating  veils  and  flower-wreathed  curls, 
with  "  lips  apart,"  leaned  from  the  crowded  galleries  to  listen  to 
— him  ! 

A  richly-prepared  table  was  laid  under  a  decorated  awning 
on  a  green  in  an  enclosure,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the 
colleges.  Thither  his  guests  resorted  after  the  exercises  were 
concluded  ;  and  Henry,  flushed  with  success,  floating  on  the 
very  clouds  of  youthful  excitement,  led  the  way,  with  the  motJier 
of  Lucy  Sullivan  on  his  arm.  And  Lucy  followed  with  his 
friend  Winthrop.  Was  it  an  August  sun  that  kindled  up  her 
cheek  in  such  a  glow  of  rosiness,  or  was  it  that  Henry,  as  he 
guided  the  mother,  looked  back  on  the  beautiful  girl,  and  catch 
ing  a  fold  of  her  veil,  retained  it  gently  in  his  hand  ? 

It  required  no  little  circumspection  to  thread  the  mazes  of 
the  Cambridge  common  on  commencement-day.  At  one  mo 
ment  they  justled  against  a  square-capped  professor  ;  at  another 
came  in  contact  with  a  crowd  around  a  merry-andrew  ;  now  a 
gowned  orator,  with  his  colored  ribbon  or  medal,  the  badge  of 
a  society,  swept  by ;  and  now  they  were  impeded  by  flocks  of 
children  hurrying  to  the  booths  for  confectionery  ;  here  was  a 
mob  of  rioters  simply  kept  from  violence  by  constables,  and 
there  pressed  a  bevy  of  laughing  girls  in  the  airy  dress  of  a  ball 
room,  escorted  by  young  collegians. 

The  excitement  was  increased  by  the  ordinarily  quiet  habits 
of  the  Cambridge  residents.  Over  that  wide,  open  common, 
then  diversified  only  by  a  few  graceful  elms,  usually  brooded 
the  deepest  silence  and  monotony,  scarcely  interrupted  by  the 


18  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

thoughtful  student  conning  to  the  air  his  appointed  task,  or  the 
laggard  hurrying  to  his  recitation.  And  the  airy-decorated 
figures  of  the  city  ladies  were  equally  opposed  to  the  simple  cos 
tume  of  the  Cambridge  girls.  Indeed,  until  within  a  few  years, 
one  might  almost  know  a  Cambridge  lady  by  the  plainness  of 
her  attire  and  the  absence  of  external  accomplishments,  con 
trasted  with  the  cultivation  of  her  mind. 

Henry  soon  saw  his  guests  seated  at  his  rich  banquet,  and 
attended  them  with  cheerful  grace,  while  the  little  pleasantries 
of  untasked  intellect  flew  around.  What  was  wanting  to  his 
happiness  ?  On  one  side  was  Lucy  Sullivan,  with  a  mingled 
look  of  trust  and  bashfulness  varying  on  her  young  cheek,  and 
on  the  other  his  classmate  Winthrop,  pledged  a  friend  for  weal 
or  woe. 

But,  as  the  festivity  rose,  Lucy's  brow  began  to  sadden. 
"  You  are  silent,  Miss  Sullivan."  whispered  Henry.  "  I  go  the 
day  after  to-morrow,  and  this  day  should  be  sacred  to  smiles." 

He  stopped,  for  he  saw  a  tremulous  motion  on  her  lips  ;  and, 
before  she  could  control  herself,  a  tear  stole  down  her  burning 
cheek.  He  withdrew  his  eyes  from  hers  ;  and,  selecting  a  piece 
of  myrtle  from  a  bouquet  near  him.  carried  it,  unobserved  but  by 
her,  to  his  lips,  and  laid  it  on  her  ungloved  hand. 

A  few  honeyed  words  were  spoken  as  at  the  close  of  the  din 
ner  he  committed  her  to  the  care  of  a  Cambridge  friend,  and 
Winthrop  and  himself  sallied  to  the  college  hall  to  join  the 
commencement  dinner-party,  to  which  they  were  entitled  as 
graduates.  The  company  had  dined,  and  were  just  rising  to 
unite  in  the  hymn  which,  from  an  early  period,  has  thrown  a 
sacred  charm  over  this  literary  festival.  The  venerable  presi 
dent,  clergymen  collected  from  every  quarter,  statesmen,  lawyers, 
graduates,  and  invited  guests,  all  stood  reverently,  and  respond- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  19 

ed  with  the  tune  of  St.  Martin's,  as  two  lines  at  a  time  were 
read  by  one  of  the  professors.* 

There  was  no  coldness  in  the  solemn  strain  that  uprose  from 
that  assembly,  but  busy  associations  were  in  every  breast, 
as  they  thus  linked  their  alma  mater  with  religious  responsi 
bilities. 

This  feeling  was  a  happy  preparation  to  Henry  and  Winthrop 
when,  retiring  from  the  hall  linked  arm  in  arm,  they  resolved, 
to  visit  Sweet  Auburn,f  to  view  the  glories  of  a  dying  sunset 
together,  and  pledge  again  their  vows  of  friendship.  They  were 

*  PSALM. 

Sung  statedly  at  the  Commencement-dinner  in  Harvard  College,  to  the 
tune  of  St.  Martin's;  the  company  standing. 

"GIVE  ear,  ye  children ;  to  my  law 

Devout  attention  lend ; 
Let  the  instructions  of  my  mouth 
Deep  in  your  hearts  descend. 

My  tongue,  by  inspiration  taught, 

Shall  parables  unfold ; 
Dark  oracles,  but  understood, 

And  own'd  for  truths  of  old : 

Which  we  from  sacred  registers 

Of  ancient  times  have  known; 
And  our  forefathers'  pious  care 

To  us  has  handed  down. 

Let  children  learn  the  mighty  deeds 

Which  God  perform'd  of  old ; 
Which,  in  our  younger  years,  we  saw, 

And  which  our  fathers  told. 

Our  lips  shall  tell  them  to  our  sons, 

And  they  again  to  theirs ; 
That  generations  yet  unborn 

May  teach  them  to  their  heirs." 

f  Now  Mount  Auburn  Cemetery. 


20  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

full  of  sweet  communing,  and  poured  out  those  feelings  which 
youth  only  knows.  They  carved  their  names  in  a  circle  on  a 
tree,  and  exchanged  books,  those  precious  ties  for  intellectual 
friendship.  Henry  had  traced  on  a  Horace  the  trite  but  expres 
sive  couplet — 

"  Where'er  I  go,  whatever  realms  I  see, 
My  heart  untravelled  fondly  turns  to  thee"— 

and  Winthrop  wrote  on  a  rich  edition  of  Gray's  poems  the  fol 
lowing  extract : — 

"Ah,  te  meas  si  partem  aninife  rapit 
Maturior  vis,  quid  moror  altera, 
Nee  cams  aaque,  nee  superstes 
Integer'?"*  HORACE 

They  lingered  in  this  heart  intercourse  until  the  rising  moon 
lighted  up  the  distant  spires  of  the  city,  and  tinged  the  Charles 
with  its  quiet  beauty.  How  often  had  they  on  that  very  spot 
looked  to  this  moment  as  a  bright  and  verdant  point  in  their 
existence  !  It  had  come ;  the  ties  of  four  years  spent  in  grow 
ing  manhood  were  to  be  severed.  Were  they  happy  ?  If  they 
were,  happiness  has  sighs  and  tears.  With  hands  clasped  in 
hand  thqy  looked  far  down  in  each  other's  hearts,  more  busy 
with  memory  than  hope.  They  could  not  tear  themselves  away. 
Again  they  gazed  on  the  Giant's  Grave — they  lingered  on  Moss 
Hill ;  they  plighted  solemn  vows  in  the  Dell,  and  a  tenderness, 
shaded  like  the  parting  twilight,  stole  over  their  souls. 

It  was  a  sultry  night ;  and  the  moon's  rays,  usually  so  clear 
and  cool,  were  like  the  noon  sun  to  Lucy  Sullivan,  as  they  came 
through  her  curtained  window  and  shone  on  her  restless  slum- 

*  "Alas,  if  thou  untimely  haste  away, 

Half  of  my  soul !  oh  why  should  I  delay  1 
Why  keep  the  other  half,  its  value  gone, 
Bereft  of  thee  to  languish  here  alone  !" 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  21 

ber.  A  sound  awoke  her,  a  single  flute — the  tune,  a  familiar 
air  of  tender  farewell.  With  a  delicious  tremor  she  started, 
threw  off  the  cap  that  bound  her  braided  hair,  and  looked  from 
behind  the  folded  curtain.  The  music  ceased  ;  a  well-known 
figure  stood  leaning  against  a  tree,  gazing  upward.  Not  a  word 
was  spoken.  Why  speak  when  every  pulsation  of  the  heart 
tells  a  tale  of  tenderness  ?  Lucy  held  her  very  breath,  and 
not  until  the  serenader  moved,  waved  his  hat,  bowed  with  a  low 
obeisance  towards  the  window,  and  disappeared,  did  she  seem 
to  respire ;  then,  with  a  sigh  that  appeared  to  bear  away  her 
very  being,  she  sank  on  her  bed  and  burst  into  tears. 

In  a  few  days  Henry  Wilton  departed  for  the  south.  A 
vision  of  one  with  a  depth  of  tenderness  in  her  blue  eyes,  which 
would  have  made  them  grave  but  for  the  buoyancy  of  her  step, 
often  came  across  his  memory  as  he  stood  on  the  deck  of  the 
vessel,  and  gazed  on  the  northern  stars. 

Three  years  elapsed,  and  he  married  an  Edisto  belle,  with 
"whole  acres  of  charms  ;"  and  when  memory  asked,  "  Where  is 
Lucy  Sullivan?"  echo  answered,  "Where?" 

At  a  still  later  period  he  visited  New-England.  Colonel 
Wilton — for  papa  had  acquired  honors — was  introduced  to  Mr. 

Winthrop,  senator  from county.  They  shook  hands,  spoke 

of  the  politics  of  the  day,  and  parted. 

And  Lucy  Sullivan,  where  was  she  ?  For  a  brief  space  the 
myrtle  was  cherished,  partly  in  tenderness,  partly  in  hope,  and 
laid  within  the  leaves  of  a  book  near  a  sentimental  rhyme. 
Time  passed  away ;  and  one  day,  when  William  Russell,  after 
urging  his  suit,  had  placed  unchecked  a  golden  circlet  on  her 
forefinger,  and  was  leaning  over  a  book  watching  her  eyes  to 
know  when  he  should  turn  the  leaves,  a  withered  myrtle  sprig 
dropped  from  the  page,  which  with  her  handkerchief  Lucy 


22  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

quietly  brushed  away.  It  fell  at  her  feet,  and  was  crushed  by 
an  unconscious  movement.  The  house-maid  sweeping  the  next 
morning  wondered  how  Miss  Lucy  could  drop  so  much  litter  on 
the  carpet. 

And  thus  ended  college  love  and  college  friendship. 


CHAPTER    III. 

THE   COUNTRY  FUNERAL. 

•'  Why  should  old  age  escape  unnoticed  here, 
That  sacred  era  to  reflection  dear  ? 
That  peaceful  shore  where  passion  dies  away, 
Like  the  last  wave  that  ripples  o'er  the  bay  ? 
Oh,  if  old  age  were  cancell'd  from  our  lot, 
Full  soon  would  man  deplore  the  unhallow'd  blot! 
Life's  busy  day  would  want  its  tranquil  even, 
And  earth  would  lose  her  stepping-stone  to  heaven." 

S.  GILMAW. 

"  Years  have  past- 
Yet  still, 
When  by-gone  days  do  visit  me, 

Some  secret  spell 

Enchains  me  to  that  spot,  and  once  aguin 
I  meet  the  soften'd  and  religimis..gh»rce 
Of  that  fair  matron's  eye  -'and  tfi ougfrtay  ear 
Hath  listen'd  to  rare  music — 
The  full  deep  cadence  of  some  queen-like  on« 
Trying  her  harp's  fine  pulses,  and  been  stirr'd, 
E'en  as  an  instrument  with  cunning  sounds 
Of  ravishing  vibration,  yet  not  one 
Seems  now  so  grateful  to  my  thirsting  ear 
As  that  fond  son's  '  mij  mother ."  "  MARY  E.  LEK. 

MAMMA  possessed  more  than  "  whole  acres  of  charms,"  for 
though  not  brilliant,  she  was  good-tempered  and  sensible.  A 
demure  look  and  reserved  manner  concealed  a  close  habit  of 
observation.  She  would  sit  in  company  for  hours,  making 
scarcely  a  remark,  and  recollect  afterwards  every  fact  that  had 
been  stated,  to  the  color  of  a  riband  or  the  stripe  of  a  waist 
coat.  Home  was  her  true  sphere ;  there  everything  was  man 
aged  with  promptitude  and  decision,  and  papa,  who  was  a  poli- 


24  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

tician,  a  candidate  for  military  honors,  a  commissioner  of  roads, 
a  churchwarden,  a  "  mighty  hunter,"  and  withal  an  active  planter, 
was  glad  to  find  his  domestic  arrangements  quiet  and  orderly. 
No  one  ever  managed  an  establishment  better ;  but  there  was 
no  appeal  from  her  opinions,  and  I  have  known  her  ever  elo 
quent  in  defending  a  recipe.  She  was  well  entitled  to  her 
opinions ;  for  though  papa  often  returned  from  the  city  or  the 
chase  with  unexpected  strangers,  I  never  saw  her  laboring  un 
der  embarrassment.  Her  sausages  were  pronounced  to  be  the 
best  flavored  in  the  neighborhood ;  her  hog's  cheese  (the  En 
glish  brawn)  was  delicacy  itself;  her  curds,  made  in  a  heart- 

ould,  covered  with  nutmeg  and  cream,  won  the  hearts  of  many 
a  guest ;  her  clabber  was  turned  at  that  precise  moment  when 
a  slight  acidity  tempers  the  insipidity  of  milk  ;  her  wafers  bore 
the  prettiest  devices,  or  were  rolled  in  the  thinnest  possible 
consistency ;  her  shrimps,  pickled  or  fresh,  were  most  carefully 
prepared;  her  preserved  water-melons  were  carred  with  the 
taste  of  a  sculptor  ;  her  hommony  looked  like  plates  of  gathered 
snow ;  corn  and  rice  lent  all  their  nice  varieties  to  her  break 
fast  ;  and  her  boiled  rice  answered  to  Shakspeare's  description, 
for  '-each  particular  grain  did  stand  on  end,"  or,  to  use  a  more 
expressive  term,  crawled.  And  all  these  delicacies  were  laid 
on  your  plate  so  silently,  with  a  look  that  seemed  to  say,  "  No 
one  will  observe  you  if  you  do  eat  this  little  bit  more."  An  orange 
leaf}  which  when  crushed  in  the  hand  sent  out  a  pleasant  odor, 
was  laid  on  every  finger-bowl.  A  cheerful  fire  blazed  on  the 
bedroom  hearths  in  winter,  and  flowers  ornamented  them  in 
spring,  while  I  was  early  taught  to  lay  fresh  roses  on  the  pil 
lows  of  strangers. 

I  recollect  mamma  most  distinctly  at  the  br&ifofast-table. 
She  entered  the  room  almost  invariably  followed  by  her  maid 
Chloe,  bearing  her  small  basket  of  keys.  She  wore  a  neat 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  25 

morning-dress,  with  plaited  frills,  a  tasteful  cap,  her  hands  dec 
orated  with  rings,  holding  a  handkerchief  of  exquisite  fineness, 
and  her  gold  watch  suspended  from  her  belt,  with  its  face  out 
ward.  Chloe,  with  a  turban  of  superior  height  (for  there  is 
great  ambition  in  the  fold  of  a  negro's  turban),  stood  behind  her 
chair  with  the  basket  of  keys.  Her  usual  office  was  to  dress 
and  undress  her  mistress  every  morning  and  evening,  and  per 
form  all  offices  of  personal  attendance.  To  her  taste  mamma 
often  referred  in  the  choice  of  a  dress  for  the  day,  for  Chloe's 
taste  was  unquestionable. 

"VVe  sat  while  papa  asked  a  blessing  in  a  low  tone.  This  is  a 
patriarchal  and  beautiful  custom,  connecting,  as  it  docs,  earthly 
blessings  with  ':  the  Giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift ;"  but 
it  should  either  be  performed  in  the  Quaker  style,  in  silence,  or 
with  distinct  and  earnest  emphasis.  My  brother  John  was  a 
bright,  observing  boy,  and  yet,  at  the  age  of  ten  years,  he  said 
to  mamma  in  a  whisper  one  day,  as  if  fearing  he  was  asking 
something  wrong,  "  What  does  papa  mean  by  tol  lol  at  the  end 
of  the  blessing?" 

"  John,"  exclaimed  she,  "  is  it  possible  that  you  do  not  know 
that  he  says  'our  Lord?' " 

"  I  always  thought  it  was  tol  lol?  said  John,  blushing  to  the 
very  eyes. 

I  mention  this  fact,  for  it  actually  occurred,  as  a  passing  hint 
to  those  whose  duty  it  is  to  lead  the  religious  thoughts  of  the 
young.  One  clear  idea  is  too  precious  a  treasure  to  lose. 

It  was  through  similar  carelessness  that,  while  kneeling  be 
side  mamma  at  night,  or  standing  to  recite  my  catechism  to  her 
every  Sabbath,  I  learned  the  Lord's  Prayer,  that  simple  yet 
sublime  gift  to  man,  as  "  Our  Father  chart  in  heaven ;"  nor  was 
I  disabused  of  this  impression  until  my  own  mind  wrought  it 
out  for  me  by  after-reflection. 

2 


26  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

My  best  religious  impressions  were  derived  from  my  grand 
mamma.  Her  suffering  heart  had  felt  their  need,  her  strong 
mind  had  tried  their  value,  and  she  possessed  the  golden  faculty 
of  turning  earth's  fleeting  sands  into  the  scale  of  heaven. 

If  ever  the  cradle  of  declining  age  was  gently  rocked,  it  was 
by  those  who  circled  around  the  venerable  form  of  my  grand 
parent  at  lloseland.  A  certain  tenderness  gathered  over  papa's 
manner  whenever  he  addressed  her  ;  there  was  even  a  softened 
gallantry  in  his  air,  as  he  led  her  to  the  coolest  seat  in  the 
piazza,  or  the  warmest  by  the  hearth.  A  lofty  beauty  still  sat 
upon  her  brow,  the  same  which  dwells  on  the  features  of  her 
portrait,  by  Copley,  in  Roseland  Hall.  Her  hair,  bleached  like 
snow,  was  as  fine  in  its  texture,  and  was  singularly  contrasted 
by  the  sunny  curls  of  her  youth.  The  influence  of  her  manners 
was  evident  on  the  plantation,  producing  an  air  of  courtesy  even 
among  the  slaves.  It  was  beautiful  to  witness  the  profound  re 
spect  with  which  they  regarded  her.  Nanny,  Jacque's  sister, 
was  her  waiting-maid,  and  herself  a  fine  specimen  of  that  quiet, 
graceful  respect  often  discerned  among  our  elder  servants. 
Nanny  still  lives,  and  is  my  especial  care.  On  sunny  days  she 
is  brought  up  to  the  piazza  in  an  arm-chair,  where  she  revives 
from  a  gentle  stupor  at  the  sight  of  familiar  objects.  Her  chil 
dren's  children  play  on  the  lawn,  but  I  sometimes  think  my 
Eleanor  awakens  stronger  interest  even  than  they,  from  her  re 
semblance  to  her  mistress.  A  few  ideas  only  linger  on  the  old 
woman's  mind  ;  the  strongest  of  which  is  breathed  in  the  form 
of  a  prayer  that  she  may  "  walk  in  dis  worl  so  to  see  missis  in 
heaven." 

One  autumn  evening,  in  my  childhood,  when  the  sunset  be 
gan  to  look  cold,  and  the  first  whirling  leaves  were  brought  to 
our  feet,  we  arrived  from  our  summer  residence  on  our  annual 
visit  to  Roseland.  Premonitions  of  hastening  decay  had  been 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  27 

seen  in  grandmamma,  and  she  had  evinced  a  gentle  impatience 
to  be  once  more  an  inmate  of  her  favorite  home.  She  could  no 
longer  walk  without  assistance,  and  papa  proposed  that  she 
should  pass  on  directly  through  the  hall  to  her  bed-room. 

"  I  will  rest  here,  if  you  please,  my  son,"  said  she,  quietly  ; 
and  as  her  still  speaking  eye  dwelt  on  the  likeness  of  her  hus 
band,  we  understood  her. 

"  If  the  people  wish  to  see  me,  let  them  come  now,"  said  she 
to  Nanny.  Her  will  was  a  law  to  us,  and  the  negroes  were 
summoned,  while  we  arranged  pillows  for  her  to  recline  on  the 
sofa.  She  received  them  kindly  ;  to  one  giving  a  word  of  ad 
vice,  to  another  of  comfort ;  she  inquired  into  their  wants,  and 
expressed  her  sympathy  in  their  joys  and  sorrows. 

"  See  that  mammy  Sue  has  extra  blankets  this  winter,  my 
son.  Daddy  Charles  tells  me  he  is  too  feeble  to  mend  his  own 
roof — set  some  hands  to  work  upon  it  before  the  cold  weather." 

Jacque  had  stood  behind  her  chair  with  Nanny  during  this 
interview. 

"  Jacque,"  said  his  mistress. 

"  My  missis,"  said  Jacque. 

"  You  remember  your  master,  Jacque  ?" 

"  My  lor,  missis  !  me  an't  got  no  membrance,  if  me  an't  mem 
ber  maussa,  just  like  a  yesterday." 

"  You  know  where  I  am  to  be  laid  ?"  said  grandmamma. 

"  Yes,  missis,  Jacque  know  berry  well ;"  and  he  wiped  away 
an  unaffected  tear. 

"  I  must  tell  you  all  how  d'ye  and  good-bye  together,"  said 
she, "  for  I  am  going  very  fast ;"  then  extending  her  hand  to 
each  in  turn,  she  said  a  few  more  words  of  comfort  and  blessing. 
"  God  bless  my  old  missis  !"  "  Many  tanks,  my  old  missis,"  was 
heard  amid  stifled  sobs,  as,  with  their  aprons  or  handkerchiefs 
to  their  eyes,  they  withdrew. 


28  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

Grandmamma  rested  a  few  moments,  and  we  stood  in  silence 

"  Cornelia,  dear","  said  she  to  me,  "  you  are  the  eldest,  and 
most  resemble  your  grandfather,  and  I  will  give  you  the  locket ;" 
and  she  suspended  it  with  a  beautiful  chain  from  my  neck.  I 
could  not  speak,  and  my  brothers,  with  a  sudden  understanding 
of  the  scene,  stood  with  looks  of  sorrowful  earnestness. 

I  glanced  at  the  locket  through  my  tears,  and  they  flowed 
faster  as  I  traced  a  gray  lock  entwined  with  its  bright  ringlet. 

"  Henry,  my  son,  I  will  go  to  my  bedroom,"  said  she.  On 
reaching  the  door,  she  turned  round  deliberately  and  gazed  on 
the  portrait  of  her  early  love.  We  saw  her  lips  move,  but  her 
voice  was  not  heard.  Then,  recollecting  herself,  she  said, 
"  Excuse  me,"  with  that  graceful  and  lofty  air  so  peculiarly 
hers. 

She  never  left  her  apartment  again.  A  rapid  but  gentle  de 
cay  came  on  ;  so  gentle,  that  when  my  brothers  and  myself  were 
told  that  she  was  dead,  and  saw  first  the  bustle  and  then  the 
careful  tread  of  mourners,  we  could  scarcely  comprehend  it. 
But  we  did  realize  something  appalling  when  we  were  carried 
by  papa  to  take  a  last  look  of  his  beloved  parent.  I  never  saw 
him  so  much  moved.  He  kissed  again  and  again  her  pale  fore 
head  ;  and  then,  with  a  long,  long  gaze,  dwelt  on  her  features, 
so  still  and  unanswering  I  can  comprehend  now  that  gaze.  I 
know  how  the  mind  rushes  back,  in  such  moments,  to  infancy, 
when  those  stiffened  hands  were  wrapped  around  us  in  twining 
love;  when  that  bosom  was  the  pillow  of  our  first  sorrows; 
when  those  ears,  now  insensible  and  soundless,  heard  our  whis 
pered  confidence ;  when  those  eyes,  now  curtained  by  unlifted 
lids,  watched  our  every  motion.  I  know  the  pang  that  runs 
through  the  heart,  and  I  can  fancy  the  shrieking  voice  within 
which  says,  "  Thou  mightst  have  done  more  for  thy  mother's 
happiness,  for  her  who  loved  thee  so  !" 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  29 

Then,  however,  I  experienced  not  this.  A  fearful  awe  over 
powered  me,  the  feeling  of  the  supernatural.  I  fancied  that  the 
eyes  were  opening — I  saw  the  shroud  heave  on  the  cold  breast 
— the  white  sheet  waved — I  reeled,  and  should  have  fallen,  but 
for  papa's  arms.  Oh,  dark,  dark  moment,  when  the  fear  of 
death  is  roused  without  its  hopes,  and  we  see  the  gloom  of  the 
grave  untinged  by  the  dawn  of  salvation. 

I  was  carried  from  the  room,  and  aroused  by  the  strange  con 
trast  without.  True,  every  face  was  serious,  but  there  was  the 
bustle  of  preparation — a  cool  criticism  on  propriety.  Jacque 
and  Nanny  were  reverentially  covering  the  portraits  of  their 
beloved  Blaster  and  mistress  with  a  white  cloth,  preparatory  to 
the  funeral.  I  saw  that  though  their  eyes  were  full  of  tears, 
yet  not  a  fold  was  left  on  its  smooth  surface ;  and  mamma,  who 
had  been  a  most  dutiful  and  affectionate  child,  warned  the  men 
who  were  bringing  the  coffin  not  to  graze  the  mahogany  table. 
I  felt  a  shock  upon  my  youthful  mind  when  I  perceived  these 
seeming  incongruities ;  but  I  have  since  found  that  there  are 
two  currents  running  through  every  heart,  one  rising  from  our 
high  immortal  nature,  and  the  other  springing  from  sensations 
immediately  about  us.  All  we  can  do  with  the  latter  is  to  bear 
with  them,  and  turn  them,  if  possible,  to  good. 

It  was  on  that  mournful  occasion  that  I  felt  the  first  struggle 
of  conscience  in  the  vanity  of  a  new  suit  of  mourning.  Ij-ried 
to  be,  perhaps  I  was  sorry  in  assuming  it,  but  glanced  at  the 
mirror  to  observe  if  it  was  becoming.  I  remember  my  broth 
ers'  looks  of  importance  as  they  dressed  for  the  funeral,  and  my 
correcting  their  pride  in  order  to  screen  my  own.  John  and  I 
walked  together  after  our  parents  to  Cedar  Mound.  He  irre 
sistibly  stepped  into  a  march.  I  twitched  his  arm.  Still  he 
stepped  forward  with  great  manliness.  "  John,'1  said  I,  in  un 
affected  indignation, "  are  you  not  ashamed  to  march  at  a  funeral?" 


30  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

Thus,  even  at  that  early  age,  we  betrayed  that  love  of  observ 
ances  which,  though  necessary  to  our  earthly  condition,  may 
check  so  fatally  our  spiritual  growth. 

Neither  John  nor  I  realized  that  our  venerable  friend  was 
gone  until  we  reached  Cedar  Mound.  Then  the  recollection  of 
her  last  resting-place  burst  on  our  young  hearts.  How  often 
had  we  strayed  there  with  her,  and  heard  her  gentle  voice  in 
love  and  tenderness !  How  sacredly  had  she  tended  those  flow 
ers,  and  told  us  that  we,  like  them,  would  die  and  bloom  again  ! 
The  coffin  was  lowered ;  we  should  see  her  no  more  on  earth ; 
and,  as  the  birds  sent  forth  their  songs,  and  her  tame  fawn  came 
forward  and  gave  a  wistful  look  on  the  grave,  OUB*  youthful 
voices  rent  the  air,  and  we  felt  the  mournful  truth  that  we  had 
indeed  lost  a  friend. 

Venerable,  even  beautiful  old  age,  beautiful  when  the  glow 
of  kindness  lingers  on  the  wrinkled  brow  and  animates  the  lips  ! 
Let  youth  catch  thy  parting  rays,  which  illuminate  it  as  the 
dying  sunshine  illuminates  the  sapling  and  flower. 

Virtuous  old  age  !  we  will  listen  to  the  lengthened  story  of 
thy  large  experience.  Even  Heaven  scorns  not  to  add  up  thy 
gathered  store  of  goodness,  and  thou  shalt  see  it  in  glittering 
numbers  on  the  "book  of  life." 

Dying  old  age !  Let  us  dwell  on  the  link  connecting  thy 
form  with  eternity,  and  then  gaze  on  the  soul's  chariot,  as,  dis 
encumbered  of  clay,  it  rises  heavenward  among  the  parting 
clouds ! 

Grave  of  the  aged  !  Let  us  all  pause  often  at  thy  sanctuary, 
where  the  waves  of  this  world  roll  off,  and  leave  us  alone  with 
God! 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ME,  JOSEPH  BATES,  THE   YANKEE   LAD. 

"  A  shallow  brain  behind  a  serious  mask, 
An  oracle  within  an  empty  cask, 
He  says  but  little,  and,  that  little  said, 
Owes  all  its  weight,  like  loaded  dice,  to  lead." 

Cowper^s  Conversation. 

MY  education,  and  that  of  my  brothers  had  been  generally 
superintended,  except  when  the  boys  were  at  city  schools,  by  a 
succession  of  governesses.  I  beg  pardon  ;  this  honorable  name 
is  not  popular  in  America.  I  think  we  speak  of  them  as  young 
ladies  who  stay  with  us  to  teach  our  children.  Our  winters 
were  passed  at  Roseland,  with  an  occasional  visit  to  Charles 
ton  ;  our  summers  at  a  Pine-land  settlement ;  and  this  arrange 
ment  rendered  it  necessary  that  our  teachers  should  reside 
under  our  roof. 

John,  and  Richard,  and  I  had  fairly  grown  beyond  petticoat 
government.  When  called  upon  to  recite,  we  laughed  behind 
our  books,  and  turned  our  lessons  into  fun.  When  reading  in 
history  of  the  irruption  of  the  Gauls,  we  spread  several  plas 
ters,  and  handed  them  to  our  teacher,  with  the  direction.  "  To 
Miss  Susan  Wheeler,  to  cure  the  disease  of  the  Gauls."  One 
day,  when  she  entered  our  room,  she  observed  our  heads  bent 
over  our  books,  when  Jo,  on  our  raising  them,  she  found  that 
we  had  covered  them  with  colored  wafers,  which  gave  us  a  fear- 


32  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

ful  but  grotesque  expression.  When  we  recited  an  account  of 
the  origin  of  writing  by  hieroglyphics,  we  let  a  paper  drop  from 
our  book,  describing  Miss  Susan  in  the  Egyptian  mode.  This 
primitive  style  was  more  than  Miss  Wheeler  could  bear,  partic 
ularly  as  we  unkindly  adverted  to  some  personal  defects.  Rid 
icule  is  the  hardest  draught  in  the  world  to  swallow,  and  she 
told  papa  she  must  decline  teaching  us  in  future.  Mamma 
never  interfered  with  our  education,  and  her  passive  virtues  as 
a  mother  remind  me  of  a  tribute  of  praise  I  once  heard  given 
to  a  clergyman  by  one  of  his  congregation.  '•  We  have  an  ex 
cellent  minister ;  he  never  meddles  with  religion,  nor  politics, 
nor  none  of  these  things."  She  was  scrupulously  attentive, 
however,  to  our  dress  and  general  manners,  and  her  care  put  to 
shame  the  mother  who,  on  being  asked  by  one  of  her  children 
to  comb  his  hair,  answered,  that  she  was  busy  sewing  for  the 
children  in  Burmah ! 

In  consequence  of  Miss  Wheeler's  resignation,  papa  sent  the 
following  advertisement  to  the  Charleston  papers. 

"  A  gentleman  of  cultivated  mind  and  polished  manners,  with 
proper  credentials,  will  hear  of  an  eligible  situation  as  private 
teacher  for  a  family  of  children  in  the  country.  Inquire  at  this 
office." 

"You  rogue,"  said  papa,  tapping  me  on  the  shoulder  with 
his  riding-whip,  "  and  you  little  rascals,"  shaking  it  smilingly  at 
the  boys,  "  don't  think  to  play  any  more  of  your  pranks  !  I 
will  put  you  under  a  man's  care ;  so  look  out;  you  have  made 
Miss  Wheeler  as  thin  as  a  fishing-rod." 

We  really  loved  our  teacher  for  her  amiable  temper,  and, 
turning  to  her,  half  choked  her  with  caresses,  exclaiming, 

"  Do,  if  you  please,  don't  give  up  teaching  us  !  We  will  be- 
lidte.  We  will  behave  good." 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  33 

Her  determination  was  not,  however,  to  be  shaken  by  our 
entreaties,  and  she  soon  departed  to  another  family  to  "  incline" 
more  docile  '•  twigs." 

I  remember  the  debut  of  our  new  tutor  as  if  it  were  yester 
day,  Having  had  no  tasks  for  several  weeks,  we  were  revelling 
in  all  the  glory  of  country  freedom.  One  day,  when  our  parents 
were  out,  we  proposed  an  excursion  in  the  woods.  John  rode 
on  his  beautiful  mare  Jenny.  He  had  amused  himself  the  night 
before  by  manufacturing  what  he  called  a  Robinson  Crusoe 
dress,  that  is,  trimming  an  old  hunting  cap  and  jacket  with 
racoon  skins.  Not  satisfied  with  their  regular  position,  he  wore 
them  now  with  their  back  parts  in  front.  Equally  intoxicated 
with  fun,  Richard  and  I  mounted  a  mule  together.  He  ex 
changed  my  bonnet  for  his  hat,  while  I  put  his  hat  over  my 
tangled  curls.  Jim,  our  favorite  attendant,  a  reckless  black 
boy  of  sixteen,  rode  a  horse  which  we  were  not  allowed  to  use, 
and  triumphed  not  a  little  in  the  caracole  of  his  steed,  while  our 
mule  paced  quietly  along.  We  were  attended  by  an  immense 
retinue  of  little  negroes,  some  with  infants  on  their  backs,  and 
others  pulling  along  those  who  could  run  alone,  determined  to 
keep  up  with  us  as  long  as  possible,  and  all  making  character 
istic  remarks. 

"  Bro'*  Jim  ride  more  better  dan  Maus  John,  for  true,"  said 
one. 

"  Ha  !"  said  another,  striding  a  gum-tree  branch,  "  gie  me  one 
horse,  and  I  show  you  how  for  ride !" 

If  I  have  described  our  appearance  correctly,  language  is  in 
adequate  to  represent  the  clamor  that  was  issuing  from  tha 
group  when,  turning  a  point  on  entering  the  avenue,  we  came 

*  Brother.  The  terms  daddy,  maumer,  uncle,  aunty,  broder  and  tit 
ter  (brother  and  sister),  are  not  confined  to  connections  among  the  blacks, 
they  seem  rather  to  spring  from  age. 

2* 


34  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

in  immediate  contact  with  a  gentleman  in  a  buggie.  We  thought 
directly  who  it  might  be.  I  confess  I  felt  prodigiously  ashamed, 
and  quick  as  thought  exchanged  head-gear  with  Richard.  The 
stranger  was  evidently  startled  by  this  singular  assemblage  ;  but 
collecting  himself,  said, 

"I  reckon  you  can  tell  me  if  this  is  Colonel  Wilton's  farm?" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  John,  bowing  politely,  for  he  had  a  good  deal 
of  his  papa  about  him:  "this  is  Colonel  Wilton's  plantation. 
Boys,  run  ahead,  and  open  the  gate  for  the  gentleman." 

A  scampering  commenced,  and  tumbling  head  over  heels, 
with  an  evident  desire  to  display  their  agility,  the  most  active 
reached  the  gate  leading  to  the  lawn,  where  they  stood  respect 
fully,  until  the  stranger,  who  sat  particularly  straight,  passed 
through. 

We  held  a  consultation,  and  at  last  concluded  that  our  pa 
rents  would  be  angry  if  we  did  not  go  and  entertain  the  visitor. 

After  a  necessary  smoothing  of  hair  and  washing  of  faces,  we 
sallied  down  to  the  apartment  where  he  sat,  as  erect  as  an  arrow, 
with  the  palms  of  his  hand  joined,  and  the  fingers  crossed,  ex 
cept  the  two  forefingers,  which  stood  out  straight. 

We  lingered  outside  the  door  before  seeing  him,  to  compose 
ourselves  properly ;  with  now  and  then  a  suppressed  giggle,  and 
now  an  urgent  whisper  to  each  other  to  go  first,  or  an  occasion 
al  application  of  my  brothers'  heels  to  each  other's  backs.  At 
last,  in  a  general  scuffle,  we  were  all  precipitated  forward  to 
gether  into  the  presence  of  the  stranger. 

We  scrambled  up,  and,  after  a  few  stifled  snorts  (the  only 
word  that  can  express  the  act),  contrived  to  compose  ourselves  5 
speaking  was  out  of  the  question ;  a  word  would  have  upset  our 
gravity.  Richard  stole  away,  while  John  and  I  sat  kicking  our 
heels  against  our  chairs,  until  a  note  on  papa's  silver  whistle 
announced  his  welcome  return. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  35 

The  gentleman  arose,  and,  after  a  preliminary  remark,  pre 
sented  papa  with  a  paper  from  his  large  flat  pocket-book.  I 
peeped  over  papa's  arm,  and  read  with  him — 

"  This  is  to  certify,  that  Mr.  Joseph  Bates,  the  bearer,  is  in 
good  standing  with  the  church  and  congregation  at ,  Con 
necticut.  EZEKIEL  DUNCAN,  Pastor." 

I  did  not  then  interpret  papa's  smile ;  but  I  have  thought 
since  how  ludicrous  it  must  have  seemed  to  him  to  receive  a 
certificate  of  good  standing  in  a  church,  when  he  had  advertised 
for  testimonials  to  a  teacher  with  cultivated  mind  and  polished 
manners. 

While  papa  is  receiving  the  solemn  introduction  of  our  new 
candidate,  let  me  recall  his  history.* 

Mr.  Joseph  Bates  was  the  son  of  a  Connecticut  farmer,  that 
race  of  men  who,  by  their  high  moral  qualities,  contribute  so 
much  to  the  stability  and  honor  of  our  country.  Joseph,  when 
a  boy,  was  employed  in  tying  fagots,  driving  the  cows,  husking 
corn,  hoeing  potatoes,  &c.,  &c.  He  attended  the  district  school, 
which  is  open  in  New-England  the  three  winter  months,  when 
work  is  slack.  There  he  was  taught  reading,  writing,  spelling, 
and  Daboll's  Arithmetic.  It  was  observed  that  he  was  never 
so  happy  as  when  he  had  washed  his  hands  after  work,  and  sit- 
ten  down  by  the  kitchen  fire  with  an  almanac  in  his  hand. 
Perhaps  sufficient  praise  has  not  been  awarded  to  these  little 
vehicles  of  knowledge,  these  national  annuals,  which,  gliding 
noiselessly  into  the  retreats  of  ignorance,  throw  abroad  rays  of 
science,  and  warm  up  the  germs  of  heart  and  mind. 

*  In  illustration  of  this  description,  I  beg  leave  to  state,  that  a  Con 
necticut  gentleman  at  the  South  told  me  recently,  that  he  asked  a  pedle-r 
who  had  come  from  his  neighborhood  if  the  increased  tax  had  not  injur 
ed  the  members  of  his  craft.  "  Oh;  I  don't  know,"  said  he,  "  I  guess 
not,  as  they  have  pretty  much  turned  schoolmasters." 


36  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

Joseph  sat  for  hours  with  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  crabs  and 
scales  in  the  zodiac,  with  a  kind  of  mysterious  delight.  He 
looked  to  the  weather  department  with  the  faith  of  a  child,  read 
the  wise  sayings  with  the  voice  of  an  oracle,  and  was  even  known, 
as  a  shrill  blast  came  whistling  through  the  door,  shaking  the 
very  settle  on  which  he  sat,  to  exclaim, 

"  See,  winter  comes  to  rule  the  varied  year." 

The  only  joke  he  was  ever  heard  to  utter  was  from  the  same 
fruitful  source. 

Joseph  availed  himself  of  his  privilege  of  a  quarter  every 
year  at  the  district  school  up  to  the  lawful  age  of  twenty-one. 
He  could  cast  up  accounts,  and  wrote  a  tolerable  hand,  but  was 
no  nearer  to  the  mysteries  of  the  zodiac.  It  is  customary  for 
young  men,  in  his  quarter  of  the  country,  to  associate  themselves 
in  a  class  for  the  winter  months,  under  the  teaching  of  the  par 
ish  clergyman,  who  is  willing  to  advance  the  cause  of  learning, 
and  aid  his  scanty  resources,  by  a  trifling  pecuniary  compensa 
tion  from  an  evening  school.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  Joseph 
became  a  member  of  the  Rev.  Ezekiel  Duncan's  class,  to  which, 
after  a  hard  day's  work,  he  resorted,  with  hair  duly  sleeked 
over  his  forehead,  and  well-brushed  Sunday  suit.  Access  to 
Mr.  Duncan's  instruction  and  library  for  three  months  made  a 
wonderful  move  in  Joseph's  mind.  Familiar  with  many  things, 
which  made  his  good  old  parents,  aunt  Patty,  and  sister  Nancy 
stare,  he  began  to  think  himself  competent  to  any  intellectual 
effort. 

At  this  period  the  captain  of  a  Charleston  trading  schooner 
came  to to  visit  his  relations,  and  renewed  a  boyish  inti 
macy  with  Joseph.  This  intercourse  produced  a  restless  desire 
of  change  in  our  incipient  tutor. 

"  I  calculate,  captain,"  said  he,  after  a  long  stroll  through 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  37 

the  town,  where  the  sailor  had  gone  to  indulge  those  associa 
tions  which  come  up  like  young  verdure  over  the  most  hardened 
souls,  "  I  calculate  it's  pretty  difficult  to  git  edication  down  at 
Charleston." 

"  Dreadful  difficult,"  said  the  captain ;  "  I  reckon  they  an't 
much  better  than  niggers." 

"  An't  you  agreeable,  captain,"  said  his  friend,  "  to  my  going 
down  to  Charleston,  and  trying  what  I  can  do  to  help  them  a 
trifle  at  schooling?" 

The  captain  thought  it  would  be  a  praiseworthy  thing,  and 
matters  were  laid  in  train  to  effect  the  object  as  soon  as  possi 
ble.  Mr.  Duncan  was  the  only  person  opposed  to  the  project ; 
but  his  advice,  though  delivered  almost  in  a  tone  of  warning, 
sounded  feebly  on  Mr.  Bates's  excited  tympanum. 

His  sister  Nancy  laid  out  a  pocket  piece,  which  had  been 
kept  for  show,  in  buying  him  a  third  Sunday  shirt ;  his  mother 
sat  up  day  and  night  to  knit  him  six  pairs  of  worsted  hose  5 
two  were  of  blue  yarn,  two  of  gray,  and  two  mixed,  for  variety  ; 
and  his  aunt  Patty,  whose  pet  he  had  been  from  childhood,  bor 
rowed  the  suit  of  a  New  Haven  apprentice,  who  had  run  up  to 
see  his  friends,  to  cut  out  Joseph's  in  the  last  fashion. 

For  some  days  he  was  seen  in  frequent  conference  with  a  ped- 
ler — they  approached,  retreated,  parleyed  ;  once  or  twice  there 
were  signs  of  actual  warfare  ;  but  at  length  Joseph  came  off, 
we  know  not  at  what  loss,  with  a  large  silver  watch,  which  he 
boasted  kept  excellent  time.  Joseph  humored  it,  as  we  ought 
to  humor  our  nervous  friends  or  capricious  servants  ;  and  when 
he  found  that  it  actually  lost  one  quarter  of  an  hour  in  every 
twenty-four,  he  said,  philosophically,  "  he  guessed  that  was  bet 
ter  than  hurrying  him  to  death  by  going  too  fast." 

How  fortune  favors  enterprise  !  The  second  day  after  his 
bargain  he  called  at  one  of  his  neighbors  to  bid  them  farewell. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

There  was  a  great  commotion  among  the  daughters,  and  a  scram 
ble  to  get  something  from  one  of  their  parboiled  hands. 

I  must  stop  a  moment  to  say  how  sweet  and  healthy  farmers' 
families  have  appeared  to  me  in  my  northern  excursions,  just 
dressed  from  their  Monday  washtubs,  sitting  down  to  their  after 
noon  sewing,  with  smiling  faces  and  sanded  floors.  The  scram 
bling  among  the  young  ladies  continued,  until  one  said,  "  You 
might  as  well  let  him  see  it  as  he's  got  to." 

"  It's  nothing  to  be  ashamed  of,  Prudence,"  said  another. 
"  'Tan't  no  present  to  cut  love." 

Prudence's  cheeks  grew  a  deeper  crimson,  until  the  sugges 
tion  that  "  to-morrow  was  ironing  day,  and  she  wouldn't  have 
no  time  to  finish  it,"  induced  her  to  draw  out  a  braided  watch- 
ribbon  of  various  colors.  It  was  observed  that  Prudence's 
hand  trembled  with  unaffected  trepidation  as  she  pursued  her 
work.  Joseph  rose  to  examine  it,  and  by  degrees  the  family 
(as  families  will  instinctively  do)  disappeared,  and  Mr.  Bates 
gained  resolution  to  offer  a  faithful  and  affectionate  heart  to  the 
blushing  girl. 

True  love  !  Whether  thou  broodest  with  white  plumage 
over  the  souls  of  the  gentle  and  refined,  or  spreadest  thy  heav 
ier  flight  near  coarser  hearts,  thou  art  sacred  still  !  Go  on  thy 
blessed  errand,  scatter  thy  gifts  in  palace  and  cottage,  and  let 
the  young  listen  in  joy,  as  they  hear  the  rustling  of  thy  wings  ! 

Prudence's  blushes  were  not  diminished  when  her  sisters  ob 
served,  on  their  return,  that  the  watch-guard  had  advanced  but 
one  knot,  and  that  was  done  wrong,  and  their  jests  came  full 
and  free  on  the  embarrassed  lover.  Happy  had  it  been  for  him 
had  he  wedded  his  Prudence,  and  remained  a  "  hewer  of  wood 
and  drawer  of  water !"  Appreciating  affection  would  have 
smoothed  his  path,  and  labor  sweetened  his  repose. 

Such  was  the  man  whom  my  papa  was  obliged  to  welcome  as 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  39 

the  teacher  of  his  children,  for  he  had  not  the  heart  to  turn  him 
back  after  his  long  journey.  I  wish  there  was  a  register  of 
looks,  that  mamma's  might  have  been  entered  when  she  first 
saw  him,  and  took  in  his  whole  figure,  from  his  greased  hair  to 
his  worsted  hose.  He  was  all  angles.  You  would  have  judged 
him  to  be  a  mathematician  by  his  elbows,  sooner,  perhaps,  than 
by  his  phrenology  ;  for  his  hair,  being  cut  in  an  exact  line  over 
his  brows,  left  but  little  display  of  his  organical  developments. 
A  perpetual  embarrassment  in  the  company  of  his  superiors 
made  him  stand  like  a  drake,  first  on  one  foot,  then  on  the 
other  ;  and  while  with  one  hand  he  fiddled  at  Prudence's  watch- 
chain,  he  smoothed  down  the  hair  closer  on  his  forehead  with 
the  other. 

I  could  divine,  by  Chloe's  increased  demureness  at  dinner, 
what  her  notions  were  of  our  new  inmate  ;  but  her  expressed 
opinion  was  reserved  for  her  mistress's  ear  when  she  undressed 
her  at  night.  Jim's  looks  were  less  equivocal.  As  he  wielded 
the  fly-brush,  he  peeped  out  of  one  corner  of  his  eye  at  the 
stranger's  proceedings,  scarcely  controlled  by  papa's  warning 
expression  ;  and  when  Mr.  Bates,  picking  out  the  orange-leaf, 
took  up  a  finger-bowl  and  drank  down  the  water  at  a  draught, 
he  was  obliged  to  make  a  precipitate  retreat  to  save  his  charac 
ter  as  a  good  servant,  which  is  one  who  sees  everything  without 
seeming  to  see. 

Alas  !  how  many  young  men  have  plodded,  and  pushed,  and 
been  coaxed  and  hustled  through  a  kind  of  education  in  the 
eastern  states,  and  then  presented  themselves  as  teachers  to  the 
children  of  southern  gentlemen  ! 


CHAPTER  V. 

MR.    JOSEPH   BATES,    THE   TUTOR. 

"  Wandering  through  the  southern  countries, 
Teaching  the  A  B  C  from  Webster's  spelling-book." 

Halleck's  Connecticut. 

"  Strepsiadcs.    So,  you  like  overlooking  the  gods  from  a  basket '? 
Come,  Socrates,  dearest,  get  down  from  your  rafter, 
And  tell  a  poor  fellow  the  thing  he's  come  after." 

Clouds  of  Aristophanes. 

FROM  the  unrestrained  freedom  described  in  the  last  chapter, 
we  were  called  on  the  following  morning  to  take  our  first  les 
sons.  John  was  not  forthcoming. 

"  Where  may  your  brother  be  ?"  said  Mr.  Bates  to  Richard. 

"  He  has  marsttd  his  harnd  on  the  dray"  answered  littlo 
Dick,  feeling  in  his  pocket  for  fish-hooks. 

"  Wha-r-t?"  said  Mr.  Bates,  with  a  tremendous  drawl.* 

Richard  repeated  his  first  reply. 

"  I  don't  conceive,"  said  our  teacher. 

«  Sir,"  said  Richard  and  I. 

"  Write  it  down,  if  you  are  agreeable  to  it,"  said  Mr.  Bates. 

Little  Richard  was  as  backward  in  chirography  and  orthogra 
phy  as  he  was  in  pronunciation,  and  Mr.  Bates  was  more  puz 
zled  than  ever.  He  turned  to  me  for  an  explanation.  It  may 
surprise  some  readers  that  I  should  be  so  much  further  ad- 

*  The  common  southern  expression  is  eh  ?  or  what  say  1  pronounced 
almost  like  one  word. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  41 

vanced  in  correct  speaking  than  Richard  ;  but  southern  chil 
dren,  who  have  good  models  in  their  parents,  and  who  associate 
with  the  intelligent,  will  almost  involuntarily  correct  themselves 
of  inaccuracies.  I  was  much  more  with  my  parents  than  the 
boys  were.  I  have  never  felt  any  more  apprehension  at  having 
my  children  associate  with  negroes,  lest  their  dialect  should  be 
permanently  injured,  than  I  should  have  at  their  listening  to  the 
broken  English  of  a  foreigner  j  and  though,  at  the  time  of  which 
I  speak,  I  preferred  to  talk  to  the  negroes  in  their  dialect,  I 
never  used  it  to  the  whites. 

''•  Be  so  obleeging  as  to  tell  me  what  your  brother  says,  miss," 
said  Mr.  Bates. 

"  He  says,"  answered  I,  "  that  John  has  masked  his  hand  on 
the  dray" 

"  Dray,  miss  ?     What  is  a  dray  ?" 

"  That  thing,  sir,  with  wheels,  out  by  the  potato-field." 

"  No,  no.  miss,"  said  Mr.  Bates,  "  that  is  a  truck." 

"  We  call  it  a  dray,  sir,"  said  I. 

"  You  mustn't  call  it  so  no  more  then.  The  Borston  folks 
call  that  a  truck"  insisted  Mr.  Bates. 

':  You  should  say,  Master  Richard,  that  John  has  jammed 
his  hand  on  the  truck." 

Richard  and  I  stole  a  glance  as  each  other,  but  of  course  we 
could  not  dispute  Boston  phraseology. 

"  You  must  git  red  of  these  curious  ways  of  talking,"  contin 
ued  Mr.  Bates,  "  as  rapid  as  possible." 

Thinks  I,  what  does  git  red  mean  ?  I  have  since  found  that 
many  well-educated  persons  in  a  city,  which  is  acknowledged  to 
be  the  most  enlightened  in  the  United  States,  use  this  expres 
sion  ;  and  ladies,  very  intellectual  ones  too,  say,  "  I  wish  I  could 
git  red  of  my  bunnet." 

Let  me  at  this  point  protest  against  the  word  get,  as  not  only 


42  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

of  selfish  origin,  but  a  miserable  expletive.  There  is  no  sen 
tence  that  is  not  better  without  it,  and  when  it  gets  to  git,  it  is 
intolerable. 

I  was  called  up  to  read  a  part  of  "  Collins's  Ode  on  the  Pas 
sions,"  and  commenced  with, 

"  First  fare  his  hand  its  skill  to  try — " 

II  Fare!"  said  Mr.  Bates,  «  how  do  you  spell  it?" 
"  F-e-a-r/are,"  said  I. 

"  How  do  you  pronounce  these  words  ?"  said  he,  pointing  to 
appear,  ear,  tear,  &c.,  in  the  spelling-book. 

I  answered,  appare,  are,  tare,  &c. 

With  equal  impropriety  I  pronounced  the  words  day,  play, 
&c.  almost  like  dee,  plee,  and  my  southern  brethren  must  excuse 
me  when  I  tell  them,  ay,  very  intellectual  ones  too,  statesmen 
and  belles,  that  many  of  them  pronounce  in  this  style  uncon 
sciously,  and  not  only  so,  but  often  call  fair  fere,  and  hair  liere. 

For  instance, 

"  The  tare  down  childhood's  cheek  that  flows, 

Is  like  the  dewdrop  on  the  rose." 
Or, 

"  Wreath'd  in  its  dark  brown  curls,  her  Jicre 
Half  hid  Matilda's  forehead  fere." 

At  the  close  of  our  lesson  Mr.  Bates  told  me  that  papa 
wished  me  to  take  a  ride  (anglice  drive)  with  him.  Jim,  who 
rarely  left  us,  was  standing  with  an  inquisitive  look  at  the  door. 

"  Young  man,"  said  the  teacher  to  him,  "  you  may  go  to  the 
barn  and  tackle  the  horse  and  shay}1 

"  I  no  been  hear  wha'  Maus  Bate  say,"  said  Jim. 

Mr.  Bates  repeated  his  direction.  Jim  was  confounded,  and 
we  were  all  in  the  same  predicament.  At  this  moment,  papa, 
who  felt  some  curiosity  to  know  our  progress,  entered,  and  Mr. 
Bates  stated  his  difficulty. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  43 

-  Oh,  I  understand  you,"  said  papa  laughing.  "  Jim,  go  to 
the  stable  and  harness,  the  horse  and  chair." 

I  might  proceed  in  this  expose,  of  both  parties,  but  if  this  lit 
tle  sketch  leads  us  to  more  attention  to  our  own  defects,  and 
more  charity  for  sectional  differences,  it  is  enough. 

It  was  difficult  for  papa  to  git  red  of  our  teacher,  though  we 
felt  hourly  his  deficiencies  and  faults.  His  own  knowledge  of 
his  unfitness  for  the  task  prevented  his  enforcing  his  requisitions 
with  any  firmness  ;  the  only  alternative  was  for  him  to  descend 
to  be  our  playmate,  to  coax  us,  and  even  enlist  Jim  as  a  com 
panion.  Several  odd  incidents  occurred,  but  the  two  I  am 
about  to  record  tended  at  last  to  sever  the  unnatural  alliance 
between  a  good-tempered  but  ignorant  teacher,  and  gay  but 
intelligent  children. 

If  those  who  were  engaged  in  the  occurrence  I  am  about  to 
relate  ever  glance  at  these  pages  in  these  their  soberer  days, 
they  may  excite  a  smile. 

Papa  and  mamma  having  gone  on  a  visit  to  the  city,  we  were 
left  entirely  under  Mr.  Bates's  control.  Unfortunately,  several 
lads  from  the  neighborhood  came  to  stay  a  few  days  with  us, 
and  John  and  Richard  were  resolved  not  to  pursue  their  studies, 
claiming  the  visit  of  the  boys  as  a  holyday.  I  confess  that 
they  were  exceedingly  provoking ;  and  Mr.  Bates,  finding  them 
incorrigible,  locked  them  in  their  bedrooms,  on  bread  and  water, 
for  twenty-four  hours.  They  had  fairly  roused  the  lion  •  he 
was  seriously  angry. 

For  the  first  part  of  the  day  we  heard  the  boys  drumming, 
and  marching,  and  whistling,  and  saw  them  at  the  windows 
making  odd  gesticulations.  As  the  dinner-hour  advanced,  they 
became  more  silent.  I  felt  pretty  sure  that  Jim  would  stand 
their  friend ;  indeed,  he  said  to  me, 


44  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

"  Neber  mind,  Miss  Neely.  Jim  can  play  cootah*  to  da  buckrah." 

About  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  when  we  had  retired  for  the 
night,  Mr.  Bates  fancied  he  heard  unusual  noises ;  and  looking 
out,  he  saw  a  large  basket  hoisted  by  a  rope  to  my  brothers' 
window  and  descend  again ;  he  then  observed  one  of  the  young 
visitors  enter  the  basket,  which  was  raised  as  before.  On  its 
descent,  Jim  alighted  from  it,  saying  in  a  whisper, 

"  So  now,  don't  draw  'em  up  till  I  come  back  again,"  and 
then  ran  off  to  the  servants'  apartments. 

Mr.  Bates  left  his  room  silently,  went  through  the  piazza  on 
tiptoe,  and  tried  the  strength  of  the  rope.  It  seemed  made  of 
stout  double  line  ;  and  as  the  height  was  not  very  great,  and  the 
piazza,  pillars,  shutters,  &c.,  were  at  hand  to  steady  himself  by, 
his  passions,  too,  being  excited,  he  determined  to  pay  the  boys 
a  visit.  My  brothers,  feeling  a  weight  in  the  basket  as  he  en 
tered,  called  in  a  whisper,  saying,  "  Ready,  Jim  ?"  "  Ready  "  said 
Mr.  Bates,  squeezing  himself  into  the  basket,  and  feeling  for 
the  first  time  a  little  tremor. 

"  By  George,"  said  John,  "  if  this  is  not  a  cargo ;  help  us, 
Dick ;  all  of  you  lend  us  a  hand.  Jim  is  heavier  than  I  thought 
for.  Quick,  Ingols,  fasten  the  rope  to  the  bedstead ;  so  there, 
now  pull." 

"  Softly,"  said  Richard,  "  or  the  black  crane  will  hear  us,"  a 
cognomen  with  which  they  generally  honored  Mr.  Bates. 

By  the  time  Mr.  Bates  had  risen  half-way  on  his  aerial  ex 
cursion,  he  repented  his  temerity;  a  sort  of  sea-sickness  came 
over  him,  and  he  was  fain  to  cry  out, 

"  John,  I  say,  John,  Richard,  be  easy  now,  Pm  in't." 

The  boys  were  for  a  moment  ready  to  let  the  basket  drop  in 
their  amazement.  It  vibrated  fearfully. 

*  Alluding  to  the  deception  of  the  turtle,  which  draws  in  its  head  pre 
viously  to  snapping  at  anything. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  45 

'  Haul  me  up,  haul  me  up,"  roared  Mr.  Bates,  in  an  ecstasy 
of  terror. 

John  called  to  the  boys  to  hold  on,  and  fastening  the  rope 
with  another  tie  to  the  bedstead,  went  to  the  window. 

"  Who  are  you  ?"  said  he,  in  an  angry  tone. 

"  My — dear — John,"  said  Mr.  Bates,  catching  his  breath, 
"  Pin  in't.  Mr.  Bates ;  my  dear  John,  for  mercy's  sake,  hoist 
me  up." 

The  boys  saw  their  power,  and  held  a  consultation.  At 
length  John,  returning  to  the  window  ready  to  burst  with 
laughter,  said,  "  Who  is  this  thief  coming  to  rob  us  of  our 
bread  and  water  ?" 

"  My  dear  young  gentlemen,"  said  the  terrified  man,  "  I  want 
nothing  but  to  get  out  of  this  tarnation  basket.  I  calculate 
that  my  heft  will  be  too  much  for  it.  Every  time  it  knocks 
agin  the  house  it  jounces  my  life  out.  I  shall  be  particularly 
obligated  to  you  either  to  let  me  up  or  down.  I  an't  particu 
lar  which." 

The  boys  whispered. 

"  Up  or  down,"  shrieked  Mr.  Bates.  "  You  don't  ought  to 
keep  me  here." 

"  Mr.  Bates,"  said  John  solemnly,  "  if  we  will  let  you  in,  will 
you  let  us  out?" 

"  I  wish  I  could  reach  you  the  key  aforehand,"  said  the  poor 
man ;  "  but  it  is  in  my  pantaloons  pocket,  and  sartin  as  I  go  to 
move  for'ard,  the  basket  will  fall  whop." 

"  You  are  in  a  bad  fix,"  said  Richard,  gravely. 

"  Oh,  I'm  in  an  awful  situation,"  cried  he ;  "I  wish  I  was  in 
Connecticut !  I  feel  so  squeamy-like  at  my  stomach  \  I  don't 
know  what  to  do  !  Pray  be  spry  and  take  me  in." 

The  boys  retreated  to  the  bed,  and  stuffed  their  handker 
chiefs  into  their  mouths  to  conceal  their  laughter.  The  shaking 


46  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

of  the  bedstead  moved  the  basket,  and  they  heard  another  ejac 
ulation. 

Richard  was  the  first  to  pity  him.  "  Come,  boys,  let  him 
out."  It  was  a  prodigious  tug  to  get  him  up.  Jim,  with  his 
eyes  as  big  as  saucers,  stood  below,  wondering  to  see  "  Maus 
Bate"  go  up  instead  of  himself  and  a  plate  of  ham  he  had  been 
frying. 

Few  men  ever  felt  less  of  the  dignity  of  human  nature  than 
Mr.  Bates  when  he  alighted  from  the  basket.  The  boys  had 
partaken  of  an  excellent  supper,  which  John  had  procured,  to 
gether  with  their  hunting  tinder-box  and  a  candle.  He  walked 
to  the  door  with  a  very  solemn  step,  unlocked  it,  and  returned 
to  his  own  apartment. 

This  incident  really  seemed  to  sober  us.  It  was  an  outlet 
for  cherished  mischief,  and  we  studied  for  some  time  with  con 
siderable  diligence.  Mr.  Bates  never  referred  to  it  again.  We 
told  our  parents,  but  their  just  reproofs  did  but  little  good 
when  we  saw  that  they  laughed  until  the  tears  ran  down  their 
cheeks,  and  papa,  holding  his  sides,  begged  we  would  stop  if 
we  had  any  pity  on  him. 

Thus  we  worried  along  through  the  winter.  Mr.  Bates  was 
a  thorough  teacher  as  far  as  his  knowledge  went ;  but  our  con 
tempt  for  him  was  so  great  as  to  prevent  his  having  any  moral 
power  over  us.  He  was  uncomfortable  enough,  and  the  thought 
of  his  simple  and  warm-hearted  Prudence,  his  affectionate  fam 
ily  and  cheerful  home,  often  stole  over  his  mind  and  shaded 
his  brow  with  gloom. 

We  had  been  upon  good  behavior  for  some  time,  when  the 
first  of  April,  that  day  of  "quips  and  cranks,"  and  more  than 
"  wreathed  smiles,"  drew  near.  Mr.  Bates  himself  seemed  ani 
mated  by  the  reminiscences  of  April-fool-day,  and  detailed  to 
Jim  and  us  the  exploits  of  his  youth. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  47 

The  jokes  passed  round.  Occasionally  he  was  to  be  seen 
unconsciously  trailing  a  dirty  rag  at  his  back,  or  a  ridiculous 
motto  ;  nor  was  he  at  all  backward  in  retaliation. 

He  was  very  fond  of  bottled  cider,  but  very  nervous  at  draw 
ing  a  cork.  John  and  I  filled  a  bottle  with  weak  molasses  and 
water,  and  placed  it,  with  the  corkscrew,  in  the  accustomed 
place.  At  the  usual  hour  Mr.  Bates  approached  the  slab.  He 
held  the  bottle  far  off,  and  drew  cautiously,  while  John  stood 
ready  with  a  tumbler,  Mr.  Bates  being  in  his  usual  tremor.  The 
cork  came  out  with  difficulty,  and  his  countenance  looked  as 
vapid  as  the  diluted  mixture.  But  he  had  his  revenge.  He 
made  in  secret  something  to  imitate  a  short  remnant  of  candle 
out  of  a  raw  sweet  potato.  In  New-England,  he  told  us  after 
ward,  they  use  the  parsnip  for  this  trick.  The  imitation  was 
perfect,  particularly  the  wick,  which  was  simply  the  potato  cut 
small  at  that  point,  slit  in  fine  shreds,  and  touched  with  coal. 
This  secret  he  communicated  only  to  me.  About  twilight,  when 
we  were  together,  he  rang  the  bell  for  Jim,  and,  giving  the  can 
dle  to  him,  told  him  to  light  it  quickly.  Jim  went  to  the  ser 
vants'  hall,  where  there  was  a  fire,  and  Mr.  Bates,  pretending 
to  hurry  him,  followed,  calling  us  after  him.  Jim  took  up  a 
coal  with  the  tongs  and  began  to  blow,  his  great  mouth  enlarg 
ing  and  closing  like  a  dying  shark's.  Mr.  Bates's  impatience 
increased.  "  Blow  harder,  Jim."  Jim  puffed  like  a  porpoise, 
but  in  vain. 

"  He  obstinate  like  a  nigger,"  said  Jim,  in  a  passion. 

John  snatched  it  from  him,  and  went  through  the  same  pro 
cess,  until  our  restrained  laughter  broke  forth.  Mr.  Bates 
rubbed  his  hands,  and  looked  like  an  elephant  in  a  frolic. 

I  have  a  very  great  objection  to  offer  to  this  April  trick,  which 
is  this.  I  have  heard  two  gentlemen,  who  never  used  an  oath 
on  any  other  occasion,  swear  at  it 


48  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

It  was  but  too  obvious  that  our  connection  with  Mr.  Bates 
must  be  terminated. 

Papa  opened  the  matter  to  him,  and  gave  him  a  generous  re 
muneration.  Mr.  Bates  received  his  dismissal  quietly,  and 
papa's  gift  gratefully,  saying,  "  He  reckoned  he  should  make  a 
better  fist  at  farming  than  edicating." 

We  parted  in  friendship  ;  and  John,  the  last  person  in  the 
world  I  should  have  suspected  of  such  sensibility,  shed  tears 


CHAPTER  VI. 

PARENTAL   TEACHING. 

"Mrs.  Page. — Sir  Hugh,  my  husband  says  my  son  profits  nothing  in  the  world  at  his 
book  ;  I  pray  you  ask  him  some  questions  in  his  accidence. 
"  Evans. — Come  hither,  William  ;  hold  up  your  head,  come." 

AFTER  the  departure  of  our  Connecticut  teacher,  Mr.  Bates, 
papa  resolved  to  carry  on  our  education  himself.  We  were  to 
rise  by  daylight,  that  he  might  pursue  his  accustomed  ride  over 
the  fields  after  breakfast.  New  writing-books  were  taken  out 
and  ruled,  fresh  quills  laid  by  their  side,  our  task  carefully  com 
mitted  to  memory,  and  we  sat  with  a  mixture  of  docility  and 
curiosity  to  know  how  he  would  manage  as  a  teacher.  The 
first  three  days,  our  lessons  being  on  trodden  ground,  and  our 
selves  under  the  impulse  of  novelty,  we  were  very  amiable,  he 
very  paternal ;  on  the  fourth,  John  was  turned  out  of  the  room, 
Richard  was  pronounced  a  mule,  and  I  went  sobbing  to  mamma, 
as  if  my  heart  would  break,  while  papa  said  he  might  be  com 
pelled  to  ditch  rice-fields,  but  he  never  would  undertake  to  teach 
children  again. 

A  slight  constraint  was  thrown  over  the  family  for  a  day  or 
two,  but  it  soon  wore  off,  and  he  returned  to  his  good-nature. 
For  three  weeks  we  were  as  wild  as  fawns,  until  mamma's  atten 
tion  was  attracted  by  my  sunburnt  complexion  and  my  brother's 
torn  clothes. 

3 


50  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

"  This  will  never  answer,"  said  she  to  papa.  "  Look  at  Cor 
nelia's  face  !  It  is  as  brown  as  a  chinquapin.  Richard  has 
ruined  his  new  suit,  and  John  has  cut  his  leg  with  the  car 
penter's  tools.  I  have  half  a  mind  to  keep  school  for  them  my 
self." 

Papa  gave  a  slight  whistle,  which  seemed  rather  to  stimulate 
than  check  her  resolution.  "  Cornelia,"  said  she,  "  go  directly 
to  your  brothers,  and  prepare  your  books  for  to-morrow,  /will 
teach  you." 

The  picture  about  to  be  presented  is  not  overwrought.  I 
am  confident  of  the  sympathy  of  many  a  mother,  whose  finger 
has  been  kept  on  a  word  in  the  lesson,  amid  countless  inter 
ruptions,  so  long,  that  her  pupils,  forgetting  her  vocation,  have 
lounged  through  the  first  interruptions,  and  finished  with  a 
frolic. 

One  would  suppose  that  the  retirement  of  a  plantation  was 
the  most  appropriate  spot  for  a  mother  and  her  children  to  give 
and  receive  instruction.  Not  so;  for  instead  of  a  limited 
household,  her  dependants  are  increased  to  a  number  which 
would  constitute  a  village.  She  is  obliged  to  listen  to  cases  of 
grievance,  is  a  nurse  to  the  sick,  and  distributes  the  half-yearly 
clothing  5  indeed,  the  mere  giving  out  of  thread  and  needles  is 
something  of  a  charge  on  so  large  a  scale.  A  planter's  lady 
may  seem  indolent,  because  there  are  so  many  under  her  who 
perform  trivial  services  ;  but  the  very  circumstance  of  keeping 
so  many  menials  in  order  is  an  arduous  one,  and  the  keys  of  her 
establishment  are  a  care  of  which  a  Northern  housekeeper  knows 
nothing,  and  include  a  very  extensive  class  of  duties.  Many 
fair,  and  even  aristocratic  girls,  if  we  may  use  this  phrase  in 
our  republican  country,  who  grace  a  ball-room,  or  loll  in  a  liv 
eried  carriage,  may  be  seen  with  these  steel  talismans,  presiding 
over  store-houses,  and  measuring,  with  the  accuracy  and  consci- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  51 

entiousness  of  a  shopman,  the  daily  allowance  of  the  family,  or 
cutting  homespun  suits,  for  days  together,  for  the  young  and 
the  old  negroes  under  their  charge  5  while  matrons,  who  would 
ring  a  bell  for  their  pocket-handkerchief  to  be  brought  to  them, 
will  act  the  part  of  a  surgeon  or  physician  with  a  promptitude 
and  skill  which  would  excite  astonishment  in  a  stranger.  Very 
frequently,  servants,  like  children,  will  only  take  medicine  from 
their  superiors,  and  in  this  case  the  planter's  wife  or  daughter 
is  admirably  fitted  to  aid  them. 

There  are  few  establishments  where  all  care  and  responsibil 
ity  devolves  on  the  master,  and  even  then  the  superintendence 
of  a  large  domestic  circle,  and  the  rites  of  hospitality,  demand 
so  large  a  portion  of  the  mistress's  time,  as  leaves  her  but  little 
opportunity  for  systematic  teaching  in  her  family.  In  this  case 
she  is  wise  to  seek  an  efficient  tutor,  still  appropriating  those 
opportunities  which  perpetually  arise  under  the  same  roof  to 
improve  their  moral  and  religious  culture,  and  cultivate  those 
sympathies  which  exalt  these  precious  beings  from  children  to 
friends. 

The  young,  conscientious,  ardent  mother  must  be  taught  this 
by  experience.  She  has  a  jealousy  at  first  of  any  instruction 
that  shall  come  between  their  dawning  minds  and  her  own  ;  and 
is  only  taught  by  the  constantly  thwarted  recitation,  that  in  this 
country,  at  least,  good  housekeeping  and  good  teaching  cannot 
be  combined. 

But  to  return  to  my  narrative.  The  morning  after  mamma's 
order,  we  assembled  at  ten  o'clock.  There  was  a  little  trepida 
tion  in  her  manner,  but  we  loved  her  too  well  to  annoy  her  by 
noticing  it.  Her  education  had  been  confined  to  mere  rudi 
ments,  and  her  good  sense  led  her  only  to  conduct  our  reading, 
writing,  and  spelling. 

We  stood  in  a  line. 


52  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

*'  Spell  irrigate"  said  she.  Just  then  the  coachman  entered, 
and  bowing,  said, 

"  Maussa  send  me  for  de  key  for  get  four  quart  o'  corn  for 
}  .m  bay  horse." 

The  key  was  given. 

"  Spell  imitate"  said  mamma. 

"  We  did  not  spell  irrigate"  we  all  exclaimed. 

"  Oh,  no,"  said  she,  " irrigate" 

By  the  time  the  two  words  were  well  through,  Chloe,  the 
most  refined  of  our  colored  circle,  appeared. 

"  Will  mistress  please  to  medjure  out  some  calomel  for  Sy- 
phax,  who  is  feverish  and  onrestless?"* 

During  mamma's  visit  to  the  doctor's  shop,  as  the  medicine- 
closet  was  called,  we  turned  the  inkstand  over  on  her  mahogany 
table,  and  wiped  it  up  with  our  pocket-handkerchiefs.  It  re 
quired  some  time  to  cleanse  and  arrange  ourselves ;  and  just  as 
we  were  seated  and  had  advanced  a  little  way  on  our  ortho 
graphical  journey,  Maum  Phillis  entered  with  her  usual  drawl, 

"  Little  maussa  want  for  nurse,  inarm." 

While  this  operation  was  going  on,  we  gathered  round  mam 
ma  to  play  bo-peep  with  the  baby,  until  even  she  forgot  our  les 
sons.  At  length  the  little  pet  was  dismissed  with  the  white 
drops  still  resting  on  his  red  lips,  and  our  line  was  formed  again. 

Mamma's  next  interruption,  after  successfully  issuing  a  few 
words,  was  to  settle  a  quarrel  between  Lafayette  and  Venus, 
two  little  blackies,  who  were  going  through  their  daily  drill,  in 
learning  to  rub  the  furniture,  which,  with  brushing  flies  at 
meals,  constitutes  the  first  instruction  for  house  servants. 
These  important  and  classical  personages  rubbed  about  a  stroke 
to  the  minute  on  each  side  of  the  cellaret,  rolling  up  their  eyes 
and  making  grimaces  at  each  other.  At  this  crisis  they  had  laid 
*  Uneasy. 


SOUTHERN    MATKON.  53 

claim  to  the  same  rubbing-cloth ;  mamma  stopped  the  dispute 
by  ordering  my  seamstress  Flora,  who  was  sewing  for  me,  to 
apply  the  weight  of  her  thimble,  that  long-known  weapon  of 
offence,  as  well  as  implement  of  industry,  to  their  organ  of  firm 
ness. 

" Spell  accentuate"  said  mamma,  whose  finger  had  slipped 
from  the  column. 

"  No,  no,  that  is  not  the  place,"  we  exclaimed,  rectifying  the 
mistake. 

"  Spell  irritate"  said  she,  with  admirable  coolness,  and  John 
fairly  succeeded,  just  as  the  overseer's  son,  a  sallow  little  boy, 
with  yellow  hair,  and  blue  homespun  dress,  came  in  with  his 
hat  on,  and  kicking  up  one  foot  for  manners,  said, 

"  Fayther  says  as  how  he  wants  Master  Richard's  horse  to 
help  tote  some  tetters*  to  tother  field." 

This  pretty  piece  of  alliteration  was  complied  with,  after  some 
remonstrance  from  brother  Dick,  and  we  finished  our  column. 
At  this  crisis,  before  we  were  fairly  seated  at  writing,  mamma 
was  summoned  to  the  hall  to  one  of  the  field  hands,  who  had 
received  an  injury  in  the  ankle  from  a  hoe.  Papa  and  the  over 
seer  being  at  a  distance,  she  was  obliged  to  superintend  the 
wound.  We  all  followed  her,  Lafayette  and  Yenus  bringing 
up  the  rear.  She  inspected  the  sufferer's  great  foot,  covered 
with  blood  and  perspiration,  superintended  a  bath,  prepared  a 
healing  application,  and  bound  it  on  with  her  own  delicate 
hands,  first  quietly  tying  a  black  apron  over  her  white  dress. 
Here  was  no  shrinking,  no  hiding  of  the  eyes ;  and  while  ex 
tracting  some  extraneous  substance  from  the  wound,  her  man 
ner  was  as  resolute  as  it  was  gentle  and  consoling.  This  epi 
sode  gave  Richard  an  opportunity  to  unload  his  pockets  of 
groundnuts,  and  treat  us  therewith.  We  were  again  seated  at 
*  Potatoes. 


54  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

our  writing  books,  and  were  going  on  swimmingly  with  "  Avoid 
evil  company"  when  a  little  crow-minder,  hoarse  from  his  late 
occupation,  came  in  with  a  basket  of  eggs,  and  said, 

"  Mammy  Phillis  send  missis  some  egg  for  buy,  ma'am  ;  she 
an't  so  berry  well,  and  ax  for  some  'baccer." 

It  took  a  little  time  to  pay  for  the  eggs  and  send  to  the 
store-room  for  the  Virginia  weed,  of  which  opportunity  we 
availed  ourselves  to  draw  figures  on  our  slates  :  mamma  reproved 
us,  and  we  were  resuming  our  duties,  when  the  cook's  son  ap 
proached,  and  said, 

"  Missis,  Daddy  Ajax  say  he  been  broke  de  axe.  and  ax  me 
for  ax  you  for  len  him  de  new  axe." 

This  made  us  shout  out  with  laughter,  and  the  business  was 
scarcely  settled,  when  the  dinner-horn  sounded.  That  evening 
a  carriage  full  of  friends  arrived  from  the  city  to  pass  a  week 
with  us,  and  thus  ended  mamma's  experiment  in  teaching. 

Our  summers  were  usually  passed  at  Springland,  a  pine  set 
tlement,  where  about  twenty  families  resorted  at  that  season  of 
the  year.  We  were  so  fortunate  as  to  find  a  French  lady 
already  engaged  in  teaching,  from  whom  I  took  lessons  on  the 
pianoforte  and  guitar.  The  summer  swiftly  passed  away. 
Pa^a  was  delighted  with  my  facility  in  French,  in  which  my 
brothers  were  also  engaged,  and  we  were  happy  to  retain  Ma 
dame  d'Anville  in  our  own  family  on  our  return  to  Roseland. 

In  the  middle  of  November  a  stranger  was  announced  to 
papa,  and  a  young  man  of  very  prepossessing  appearance  en 
tered  with  a  letter.  It  proved  to  be  from  our  teacher,  Mr. 
Bates.  The  contents  were  as  follows : — 

"  Respected  Sir. — I  now  sit  down  to  write  to  you?  to  inform 
you  that  I  am  well,  as  also  are.  sir  and  mar'm.  niy  sister  Nancy, 
and  all  the  rest  of  our  folks  except  aunt  Patty,  who  is  but 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  55 

poorly,  having  attacks  of  the  rhcumatiz,  and  shortness  of  breath. 
I  should  add,  that  Mrs.  Prudence  Bates  (who,  after  the  regular 
publishment  on  the  church  doors  for  three  Sundays,  was  united 
to  me  in  the  holy  bands  of  wedlock,  by  our  minister,  Mr.  Eze- 
kiel  Duncan)  is  in  a  good  state  of  health  at  this  present,  though 
her  uncle,  by  her  father's  side,  has  been  sick  of  jaundice,  a  com 
plaint  that  has  been  off  and  on  with  him  for  a  considerable  spell. 

"  The  bearer  of  this  epistle  is  Parson  Duncan's  son,  by  name 
Mr.  Charles  Duncan,  a  very  likely  young  man,  but  poorly  in 
health,  and  Dr.  Hincks  says  going  down  to  Charleston  may  set 
him  up.  I  have  the  candor  to  say  that  I  think  him,  on  some 
accounts,  a  more  proper  teacher  than  your  humble  servant? 
having  served  his  time  at  a  regular  college  edication. 

"  I  have  taken  to  farming,  and  lot  upon  seeing  the  Carolina 
seeds  come  up  that  you  gave  me.  Our  folks  say  that  I  speak 
quite  outlandish  since  I  come  home ;  and  when  I  told  neighbor 
Holt  tother  day  about  groicing  corn,  and  spoke  about  some 
body  that  was  raised  in  a  certain  place,  he  as  good  as  laughed 
in  my  face,  and  said  it  sounded  curious. 

"  I  have  tried  a  heap  to  make  our  folks  bile  the  hommony 
Miss  Wilton  give  me  as  they  do  at  Roseland  ;  but  it  is  the  very 
picture  of  swill,  and  I  must  say  the  hogs  eat  it  a  nation  faster 
than  we  do.  When  I  told  Aunt  Patty  that  Southern  folks  ate 
clabber,  she  rolled  up  her  eyes,  and  wondered  I  could  abide  to 
sit  at  table  with  such  critters  ;  and  though  I  told  her  that  it 
was  genteel,  and  that  I  stomached  it  very  well,  she  can't  no 
how  git  over  it,  and  makes  me  feel  very  curious  by  telling  every 
body  that  happens  in  how  they  eat  hogs'  victuals  down  at 
Charleston. 

"  Sister  Nancy  was  very  much  obligated  by  the  fans  and  bas 
ket  Miss  Neely  sent  her,  and  was  in  a  great  maze  at  niggers 
doing  anything  so  tasty ;  and  they  were  all  astonished  when  I 


DO  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

told  them  how  the  white  folks  buy  what  the  niggers  make,  and 
what  a  laying  up  they  can  git  if  they  have  a  mind  to,  jist  from 
knick-knacks,  and  eggs,  and  potatoes,  and  so  on. 

"  Mrs.  Prudence  admires  the  Thomson's  Seasons  Mr.  John 
sent  her.  She  has  kivered  it  with  a  bit  of  blue  homespun,  and 
put  it  up  safe. 

•'  I  didn't  say  nothing  to  none  on  you  about  a  keg  of  shrimps 
that  I  brought  on  here  from  Charleston.  When  I  got  here,  Mr. 
Wilton,  they  were  a  sight  for  mortal  eyes  !  Nobody  could  tell 
winch  was  head  or  which  was  tail.  A  perfect  regiment  of  crit 
ters  had  took  hold  on  'em ;  and  when  I  told  our  folks  how 
much  nicer  and  delicater  they  were  than  lobsters,  they  began  to 
twit  me,  and  I  an't  hearn  the  last  of  it  yit.  I  only  wish  I 
could  have  preserved  the  live-stock  for  a  museum. 

u  I  send  by  Mr.  Duncan  some  long-necked  squashes  and  rus 
set  apples  of  my  own  raising.  The  folks  here  stare  like  mad 
when  I  tell  them  you  eat  punkins  biled  like  squash. 

"  I  have  writ  a  much  longer  letter  than  I  thought  on ;  but 
somehow  it  makes  me  chirpy  to  think  of  Roseland,  though  the 
young  folks  were  obstreperous. 

"  Give  my  love  nevertheless  to  them,  and  Miss  Wilton,  and 
all  the  little  ones,  as  also  I  would  not  forget  Daddy  Jacque, 
whom  I  consider,  notwithstanding  his  color,  as  a  very  respecta 
ble  person.  I  cannot  say  as  much  for  Jim,  who  was  an  eternal 
thorn  in  my  side,  by  reason  of  his  quickness  at  mischief,  and 
hi.s  slowness  of  waiting  upon  me ;  and  I  take  this  opportunity 
jof  testifying,  that  I  believe,  if  he  had  been  in  New-England,  he 
would  have  had  his  deserts  before  this ;  but  you  Southern  folks 
do  put  up  with  an  unaccountable  sight  from  niggers,  and  I  hope 
Jim  will  not  be  allowed  his  full  tether,  if  so  be  Mr.  Charles 
should  take  my  situation  in  your  family.  I  often  tell  our  folks 
how  I  used  to  catch  up  a  thing  and  do  it  rather  than  wait  for 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  5 7 

half  a  dozen  on  'em  to  take  their  own  time.  If  I  lived  to  the 
age  of  Methusalem,  I  never  could  git  that  composed,  quiet  kind 
of  way  you  Southern  folks  have  of  waiting  on  the  niggers.  I 
only  wish  they  could  see  aunt  Patty  move  when  the  rheumatiz 
is  off — if  she  isn't  spry,  I  don't  know. 

"  Excuse  all  errors. 

"  Yours  to  serve, 

"  JOSEPH  BATES." 

I  detected  a  gentle,  half-comical  smile  on  Mr.  Duncan's 
mouth  as  he  raised  his  splendid  eyes  to  papa  while  delivering 
Mr.  Bates's  letter ;  but  he  soon  walked  to  the  window,  and 
asked  me  some  questions  about  the  Cherokee  rose-hedge,  and 
other  objects  in  view,  which  were  novelties  to  him.  I  felt  in 
stantly  that  he  was  a  gentleman,  by  the  atmosphere  of  refine 
ment  which  was  thrown  over  him,  and  I  saw  that  papa  sympa 
thized  with  me,  as  with  graceful  courtesy  he  welcomed  him  to 

Roseland. 

3* 


CHAPTER  VII. 

CHARLES    DUNCAN. 

M  A  spirit  urging  onward  and  still  on 
To  some  high,  noble  object  to  be  won ; 
And  pressing  still,  through  danger  and  distress, 

Regardless  of  them  all, 
Till  that  high  object,  whatsoe'er  it  be, 
Friendship,  or  virtuous  fame,  our  country's  liberty, 
The  improvement  of  our  race,  the  happiness 

Of  one  poor  individual, 
Or  of  unnumbered  thousands  be  attained." 

S.  G.  BULLFINCH. 

"  And  as  a  bird  each  fond  endearment  tries, 
To  tempt  its  new-fledged  offspring  to  the  skies, 
He  tried  each  art,  reproved  each  dull  delay, 
Allured  to  brighter  worlds,  and  led  the  way." 

GOLDSMITH. 

THERE  is  no  moral  object  so  beautiful  to  me  as  a  conscien 
tious  young  man  !  I  watch  him  as  I  do  a  star  in  the  heavens  : 
clouds  may  be  before  him,  but  we  know  that  his  light  is  behind 
them,  and  will  beam  again ;  the  blaze  of  others'  prosperity  may 
outshine  him,  but  we  know  that,  though  unseen,  he  illumines  his 
true  sphere.  He  resists  temptation  not  without  a  struggle,  for 
that  is  not  virtue,  but  he  does  resist  and  conquer ;  %e  hears  the 
sarcasm  of  the  profligate,  and  it  stings  him,  for  that  is  the  trial 
of  virtue,  but  he  heals  the  wound  with  his  own  pure  touch ;  he 
heeds  not  the  watchword  of  fashion  if  it  leads  to  sin ;  the  athe 
ist  who  says,  not  only  in  his  heart  but  with  his  lips,  "  There  is 
no  God,"  controls  him  not,  for  he  sees  the  hand  of  a  creating 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  59 

God,  and  reverences  it ;  of  a  preserving  God,  and  rejoices  in  it. 
Woman  is  sheltered  by  fond  arms  and  guided  by  loving  coun 
sel  ;  old  age  is  protected  by  its  experience,  and  manhood  by  its 
strength ;  but  the  young  man  stands  amid  the  temptations  of 
the  world  like  a  self-balanced  tower.  Happy  he  who  seeks  and 
gains  the  prop  and  shelter  of  Christianity. 

Onward,  then,  conscientious  youth !  raise  thy  standard  and 
nerve  thyself  for  goodness.  If  God  has  given  thee  intellectual 
power,  awaken  it  in  that  cause ;  never  let  it  be  said  of  thee,  he 
helped  to  swell  the  tide  of  sin,  by  pouring  his  influence  into  its 
channels.  If  thou  art  feeble  in  mental  strength,  throw  not  that 
poor  drop  into  a  polluted  current.  Awake,  arise,  young  man  ! 
Assume  the  beautiful  garments  of  virtue  !  It  is  easy,  fearfully 
easy  to  sin ;  it  is  difficult  to  be  pure  and  holy.  Put  on  thy 
strength,  then ;  let  thy  chivalry  be  aroused  against  error — let 
truth  be  the  lady  of  thy  love — defend  her. 

A  review  of  the  character  of  Charles  Duncan  has  led  me  to 
this  expression  of  feeling.  I  was  thirteen  years  of  age  when  he 
arrived  at  Roseland,  and  became  our  teacher  in  conjunction 
with  Madame  d'Anville.  I  ought  to  describe  his  appearance. 
I  wish  I  could.  I  can  say  that  his  form  was  the  perfection  of 
manly  symmetry  ;  I  can  tell  of  his  clear,  dark,  intellectual  eyes, 
where  softness  and  vivacity  seemed  living  in  friendly  rivalry ; 
I  can  paint  the  rich  clustering  hair  thrown  away  from  his  noble 
forehead,  and  that  forehead  rising  in  its  white  mass  like  a  tower 
of  mind ;  I  can  give  some  conception  of  the  rich  glow  that  col 
ored  up  a  complexion  of  such  transparent  hue,  that  it  would 
have  seemed  effeminate  but  for  the  strong  character  of  his 
frame  and  features,  that  glow,  too  fallacious,  too  burningly 
bright,  which  spoke  of  a  fire  consuming  the  vase  in  which  it  was 
kindled  ;  but  his  voice  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  describe.  He 
never  spoke  without  silencing  others,  not  by  noise  or  vehe- 


60  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

mence,  but  with  a  slow,  musical  emphasis,  that  went  straight  tc 
the  heart ;  nor  was  the  voice  low  or  whispered ;  but,  without  a 
tinge  of  vanity,  it  seemed  to  say,  I  must  be  heard. 

Why  are  not  such  individuals  on  thrones  wielding  sceptres, 
or  pouring  out  their  talents  before  senates,  or,  aided  by  wealth 
and  power,  lifted  up  to  the  high  temples  of  literature  and  sci 
ence?  Why  must  sickness  and  penury  be  thrown  over  souls 
which  God  has  made  of  his  purest  essence  ?  Thank  Heaven, 
we  know  that  this  question  will  be  well  answered  when  we  see 
them  in  their  white  robes  hymning  strains  the  first  and  richest 
among  the  heavenly  choir  ! 

It  was  well  for  me  that  Charles  Duncan  instructed  us.  Ma 
dame  was  a  conscientious  teacher,  but  her  conscience  only  em 
braced  externals.  I  practised  two  hours  daily  my  musical 
tasks,  and  delighted  my  papa  by  addressing  the  French  consul, 
on  a  visit  to  Charleston,  with  a  mixture  of  pertness  and  bash- 
fulness,  in  his  native  tongue.  Papa  was  satisfied  if  he  paid 
round  sums  of  money  for  my  education,  and  mamma  was  easy 
if  my  teachers  seemed  busy.  Until  Duncan  came,  my  mind 
was  the  only  instrument  exercised,  and  that  was  swayed  by 
earthly  hands.  True,  my  heart  was  open,  and  many  a  kind 
breeze  of  nature  swept  over  its  chords  ;  but  he  tuned  them  both 
to  harmony,  and  brought  out  those  tones  which  liken  us  to  an 
gels,  and  yet  fit  us  for  the  world.  His  searching  but  frequent 
question  was,  Are  you  acting  from  duty,  from  principle,  as  in 
the  sight  of  God  ? 

Papa  was  at  first  opposed  to  the  full  cultivation  of  my  mind 
in  the  branches  studied  by  my  brothers.  He  laughed  and  said, 
"  The  girl  would  consider  herself  more  learned  than  her  father." 

"  Why  should  she  not,"  said  Duncan,  "  if  humility  be  so 
wrought  in  her  as  to  make  her  feel  her  own  inferiority  to  the 
true  standard  of  mind  1  Fear  not,  Colonel  Wilton !  Intellec- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  61 

tual  women  are  the  most  modest  inquirers  after  truth,  and  ac 
complished  women  often  the  most  scrupulous  observers  of  social 
duty." 

"  Well,  well,"  answered  papa,  "  only  do  not  spoil  her  eyes 
and  shoulders,  and  let  her  be  ready  for  my  morning  ride  on 
horseback,  and  you  may  teach  her  the  remainder  of  the  day.  By 
the  way,  Cornelia,  are  you  never  going  to  hold  your  whip-hand 
steady  ;  you  jerk  it  like  a  cracker*  woman  !  Your  head  should 
be  a  little  higher  too,  though  it  is  pretty  well.  The  Wiltons 
are  not  often  accused  of  that  fault."  Then,  whistling  to  his 
dogs,  he  left  me  to  my  studies. 

Whatever  may  be  the  difficulty  of  parental  instruction  on  a 
Southern  plantation,  none  is  experienced  by  the  judicious  private 
teacher.  Here  is  no  copying  of  others,  no  meretricious  ambition 
from  the  struggle  after  pre-eminence. 

"  The  native  heart  bursts  through,  and  scorns  disguise." 

In  these  far  woods,  breathing  space  is  given  for  the  young 
pulsation  of  the  opening  feelings.  There  may  be  the  danger  of 
the  aristocracy  of  solitude,  but  the  little  irritations,  the  paltry 
rivalry  of  schools  is  unknown. 

It  was  not  merely  in  hours  of  recitation  that  we  were  taught ; 
and  I  can  recollect  now,  though  then  perhaps  I  did  not  observe 
it,  that  my  teacher  associated  every  object  with  some  elevated 
motive.  I  never  saw  a  mind  so  inwrought  with  heaven,  and 
yet  he  was  sportive,  and  no  laugh  rang  more  clearly  than  his, 
awakening  the  very  echo  in  its  joy.  He  taught  me  to  be  a 
happy  early  riser,  and  pointed  out  to  me  the  glories  of  kindling 
morning ;  I  gathered  and  dissected  wild  flowers  by  his  side ;  we 
watched  the  stars  in  their  silent  courses  together,  until  I  could 

*  Appellation  given  to  the  back  country  people,  who  use  long  whips 
witli  their  wagons,  which  they  crack  to  stimulate  the  team. 


62  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

welcome  each  like  familiar  eyes.  Once  I  shrank  from  a  storm, 
but  he  pointed  out  to  me  God's  hand  issuing  in  love,  not  anger, 
from  the  tempest,  and  I  was  calmed.  He  sang  with  me,  taught 
me  to  distinguish  what  was  false  in  sentiment  in  my  songs,  and 
by  some  poetical  change  brought  a  pure  spirit  into  this  court 
of  folly ;  he  read  to  me,  and  the  breathings  of  the  muse  went 
down  into  my  heart,  calling  up  from  unknown  depths  new  crea 
tions  of  sentiment ;  he  selected  tales  of  romance,  until  I  could 
discriminate  between  the  fallacious  and  the  imitable.  Even 
history  in  his  hands  was  a  medium  of  pleasure ;  he  never  read 
to  me  the  fatiguing  details  of  war ;  connecting  events  by  inter 
esting  associations,  and  drawing  characters  in  strong  contrasts, 
or  singling  them  out  like  so  many  pictures,  he  brought  before 
me  the  warriors  and  statesmen  in  their  respective  eras,  until 
they  stood  as  living  things  in  my  imagination. 

Unable  to  follow  iny  brothers  in  their  rambling  amusements, 
we  were  thrown  constantly  together,  and  the  whole  aim  of  his 
being  seemed  to  be  to  train  me  like  some  tender  plant,  and  not 
only  to  shed  sweet  dews  around  me.  and  keep  every  weed  from 
my  side,  but  to  prop  me  with  truth,  and  preserve  my  upward 
tendencies  unswerved.  With  him  I  breathed  the  very  atmos 
phere  of  piety ;  the  study  of  the  character  and  words  of  the 
Saviour  seemed  like  sunshine  to  his  soul — Cornelia,  he  said, 
drink  deep  at  this  fountain,  it  is  a  well  of  life. 

Two  years  passed  away  with  the  customary  change  between 
Springland  and  the  plantation  ;  Duncan  was  still  with  us,  and 
an  addition  was  formed  to  our  circle  by  the  daily  visits  of  Lewis 
Barnwell.  a  youth  of  eighteen,  and  the  son  of  a  neighbor.  He 
had  returned  from  college,  for  private  reasons,  to  pursue  his 
studies  at  home  previous  to  graduating.  He  applied  to  Duncan 
for  instruction,  and  thus  was  an  almost  constant  inmate  of  our 
residence. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  03 

A  change  was  gradually  wrought.  If  I  entered  a  pleasure- 
boat,  it  was  Lewis,  not  Duncan,  who  sat  at  my  side  ;  if  I  rode 
with  Duncan,  Lewis  was  soon  seen  galloping  through  the  av 
enue,  and,  without  any  effort  of  mine,  chatting  of  everything  at 
my  elbow,  while  Duncan  silently  dropped  behind ;  every  ques 
tion  apart  from  my  studies,  and  every  expression  of  my  thoughts 
which  Duncan  had  been  accustomed  to  answer,  seemed  wrested 
away  from  him.  At  table,  Lewis  anticipated  every  wish  and 
motion  as  if  it  were  his  right  to  make  me  happy,  and  this  was  so 
gradual  that  /  scarcely  marked  the  difference.  Had  I  been 
older  I  might  have  noticed  an  abstraction  of  manner  steal  over  my 
dear  tutor,  with  sometimes  a  deeper  flush  and  sometimes  a  sudden 
paleness  on  his  cheek  ;  I  should  have  observed  him  precipitately 
retreating  when  Lewis  and  I  jested  over  the  playful  topics  of 
youth,  and  as  precipitately  returning,  to  notice  without  mingling 
in  our  mirth. 

One  morning,  however,  my  attention  was  effectually  drawn 
to  him.  As  we  were  standing  in  the  piazza  after  breakfast,  a 
servant  came  from  the  Elms,  Mr.  Barnwell's  residence,  with  a 
bunch  of  flowers,  with  Master  Lewis's  compliments  to  Miss 
Cornelia.  Duncan  took  them,  looked  a  moment  at  the  collec 
tion  ;  a  contortion  like  one  in  deep  suffering  passed  over  his 
face ;  he  turned  deadly  pale,  and  sank  on  a  seat,  while  the  flow 
ers  dropped  from  his  hand.  I  hastened  to  him,  and  Richard 
brought  me  some  cologne  water,  with  which  I  bathed  his  fore 
head.  He  bore  it  for  a  moment,  the  same  expression  of  suf 
fering  again  passed  across  his  countenance,  and  he  said  with 
a  stifled  voice,  "  Take  away  your  hand,  for  God's  sake,  Miss 
Wilton !" 

Miss  Wilton  !  Richard  and  I  looked  at  each  other  with  surprise. 

"  He  is  very  ill,"  said  I,  innocently  ;  "  call  mamma" — but, 
with  an  effort,  he  recovered,  saying  he  had  been  liable  to  sud- 


64  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

den  faintness  when  at  college,  and  lie  thought  it  was  returning 
upon  him. 

"  I  fear,  in  my  absence  of  mind,"  continued  he,  '*  that  I  spoke 
harshly  to  you,  my  dear  Cornelia — shake  hands  with  me  and 
forgive  me." 

I  gave  him  niy  hand :  and  as  it  rested  a  moment  in  his,  I 
gazed  on  him  with  an  affecting  presentiment  of  evil  totally  un- 
definable.  Again  a  shade  crossed  his  expressive  countenance, 
not  so  deep,  but  of  the  same  character  as  before  ;  and  sighing  as 
if  the  very  fount  of  feeling  were  loosened,  he  resigned  my  hand. 

I  took  up  the  bouquet  which  had  been  neglected  on  the  floor. 
To  a  forget-me-not  was  attached  my  name  in  Lewis's  handwrit 
ing.  I  glanced  at  Duncan,  and  blushed  intensely,  while  he  re 
garded  me  with  a  penetrating  gaze,  from  which  I  gladly  turned 
away.  I  hurried  to  my  own  apartment,  and  sat  and  mused  for 
some  time  with  the  flowers  in  my  hand ;  and,  though  without 
any  fixed  impressions,  I  separated  the  forget-me-not  from  the 
bouquet,  and  placed  it  in  my  hair. 

How  difficult  is  it  for  growing  age  to  recall  the  emotions  of 
that  period  of  life,  when  on  a  look,  a  word,  a  touch,  may  rest 
the  history  of  years !  What  a  tale  was  told  by  that  little 
flower,  how  many  feelings  unfolded !  Lewis  joined  us  in  our 
evening  stroll,  and  a  bright  glow  lighted  up  his  features  as  he 
recognized  the  flower  in  my  hair. 

The  morning  after  this  little  development,  which  after  all,  I 
scarcely  understood  or  dwelt  upon,  Mr.  Duncan  was  requested 
by  papa  to  accompany  me  in  my  ride. 

"  I  have  never  showed  you  my  magnolia,"  said  he ;  •"  the 
warm  spring  has  developed  its  blossoms  unusually  early.  If 
you  will  bear  a  slow  ride  among  the  bushes,  we  will  visit  it." 
I  assented ;  and.  preceded  by  Toney,  a  little  crow-minder  who 
was  off  duty,  and  who  ran  in  front  to  part  the  bushes,  we  com- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  65 

menced  our  excursion,  scattering  the  dew-drops  at  every  step. 
I  had  entirely  forgotten  the  excitement  of  yesterday ;  and,  as 
we  walked  our  horses.  I  poured  forth  all  the  thoughts  of  a 
happy  confiding  heart,  while  Toney,  who  w^s  often  my  attend 
ant  on  such  excursions,  began  his  task  of  gallantry,  and  gath 
ered  flowers  for  my  herbarium. 

After  a  ride  of  two  miles  we  reached  the  magnolia.  Mr. 
Duncan  had  caused  the  brushwood  to  be  cleared  from  beneath 
it,  and  it  stood  alone,  except  that  a  vine  had  clung  (as  they 
seem  to  do  by  magic  in  our  woods)  to  one  of  the  outer  branches, 
and.  rising  and  descending  again  and  again  to  an  incredible  dis 
tance,  formed  with  its  intertwining  arms  a  giant  trunk.  The 
magnolia,  the  queen  of  the  Southern  forest,  stood  with  her  large 
white  blossoms  resting  on  her  polished  leaves,  sending  out  afar 
her  delicious  perfume. 

•'  I  must  have  a  blossom,  Mr.  Duncan,"  said  I,  as  we  alighted, 
"  to  remember  your  tree  by." 

"With  one  of  his  bright  smiles,  he  went  to  an  opposite  branch 
where  a  flower  seemed  attainable,  while  I  attempted  to  draw 
down  another  which  was  above  me  with  my  whip.  At  this 
moment  I  heard  Lewis's  voice  in  a  gay  "  good-morning ;"  and 
carelessly  turning,  at  his  salutation,  while  springing  to  gain  the 
blossom,  I  fell  with  violence  to  the  ground. 

My  head  had  struck  against  a  fallen  tree,  and  I  was  insensible. 
In  my  first  consciousness,  I  uttered  the  name  of  Lewis.  I  per 
ceived  myself  lying  in  the  arms  of  some  one,  who  gave  me  a 
momentary  but  shivering  pressure.  I  then  felt  myself  gently 
placed  in  the  arms  of  another.  I  opened  my  eyes,  Lewis  was 
supporting  me,  and  Mr.  Duncan,  pale  as  a  marble  statue,  leaned 
against  the  magnolia. 

"  Is  Mr.  Duncan  ill  ?"  I  said,  as  a  breeze  sweeping  across  my 
brow  gave  me  sudden  consciousness. 


66  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

"  He  loves  you,"  said  Lewis,  in  an  agitated  whisper.  "  He 
would  willingly  die  for  you.  Which  of  us  shall  live  for  you, 
dearest?" — and,  with  a  renewed  recollection  of  my  danger,  he 
pressed  his  hand  on  my  forehead  as  if  to  assure  himself  that 
life  was  there. 

Duncan  looked  on.  It  was  in  vain  that  he  struggled  with 
his  excited  spirit ;  without  uttering  a  word,  he  stood  until  Lewis 
lifted  me  to  my  saddle,  and  then,  heart-struck,  alas  !  I  saw  it,  I 
saw  it,  he  turned  towards  home. 


* 
*  ' 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

CHAKLES    DUNCAN. 

"  By  solemn  vision,  and  bright  silver  dream, 
His  infancy  was  nurtured.    Every  sight 
And  sound  from  the  vast  earth  and  ambient  air, 
Sent  to  his  heart  its  choicest  impulses. 
The  fountains  of  divine  philosophy 
Fled  not  his  thirsting  lips,  and  all  of  great, 
Or  good,  or  lovely,  which  the  sacred  past 
In  truth  or  fable  consecrates,  he  felt 
And  knew.— SHELLEY. 

"  He  needs  not  glory's  wreath 
To  keep  his  memory  from  the  blight  of  years." 

MRS.  HALE. 

FROM  the  day  of  our  visit  to  the  magnolia,  Mr.  Duncan's 
manners  were  marked  by  a  series  of  respectful  attentions,  and  a 
nice  deference  to  social  forms.  But  while  devoted  to  every 
duty,  he  became  a  lonely  rambler  in  the  woods,  or  secluded 
himself  in  his  study,  and  a  light  was  visible  in  his  apartment 
when  the  latest  member  of  the  family  retired.  The  bright  spot 
on  his  cheek  grew  brighter,  his  hands  became  thin,  and  we  could 
see  their  blue  veins  as  they  lay  in  languor  at  his  side.  At 
length  a  short  restrained  cough  followed  every  exertion ;  he 
clung  to  the  balustrade  in  ascending  the  steps,  and  looked  with 
an  eager  eye  to  a  resting-place  after  his  walks,  which  were  daily 
more  circumscribed.  An  enemy,  which  perhaps  answered  sym 
pathy  would  have  longer  lulled,  was  roused,  and  consumption 
revelled  through  his  frame.  Sometimes  it  was  exhibited  in 


68  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

deep  and  silent  despondency  ;  sometimes  his  eye  was  illuminated 
with  unnatural  lustre ;  and  occasionally  his  fine  intellect  jarred 
with  the  breaking  of  his  corporeal  powers. 

He  began  to  speak  of  his  childhood — of  his  home,  of  the  old 
elm  that  shaded  the  sloping  hill  at  his  father's  door,  and  to  long 
for  a  draught  of  water  from  the  well  beneath  its  shade.  Then 
a  deadly  heaviness  and  debility  came  over  his  frame,  and  light 
fancies  floated  on  his  mind.  He  talked  of  the  vessel  that  was 
t~  bear  him  away,  and  I  was  to  be  his  companion. 

"  Cornelia  and  he,"  he  said,  "  would  gaze  on  the  wide  ocean 
together ;  he  would  show  her  God's  power  on  the  deep — he 
would  carry  her  to  his  native  home,  where  the  wild  flowers 
sprang  up,  and  the  birds  were  bright  as  here  ;  his  father's 
hand  should  rest  on  her  sunny  curls,  and  he  would  love  the 
tenderness  in  her  bright  eyes — they  would  listen  to  him  in  the 
old  meeting-house,  where  the  prayers  were  purer  and  the  hymns 
sweeter  than  aught  in  the  wide  world.  He  was  not  rich,  but 
what  were  riches  to  true  love  1  Cornelia  and  he  could  live  to 
gether  beneath  his  father's  roof — the  old  man  would  be  kind  to 
them,  and  his  hearth  was  warm." 

Then  a  change  came  over  him,  and  he  talked  of  fame. 
"  They  shall  hear  me,"  he  exclaimed  (and  his  thrilling  voice 
rang  upon  my  ear,  while  his  arm  was  stretched  forward  with 
graceful  energy).  "  Think  you  that  strong  thought  can  be 
chained  ?  You  may  restrain  a  torrent  in  its  course,  but  mind 
will  on,  on  with  its  master  impulse.  You  think  me  weak,  Cor 
nelia"  (for  I  was  gazing  with  deep  commiseration  at  his  pant 
ing  chest) ;  "  but  you  know  not  what  can  be  done  by  will.  I 
will  advocate  truth — I  will  crush  error — I  ivill  lift  up  the  fee 
ble,  and  bring  down  the  haughty,  and  to  God  shall  be  the 
praise." 

It  was  now  that   mamma's  quiet  virtues  shone  beyond  the 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  69 

glare  of  intellectual  accomplishments.  She  attended  him  de 
votedly  ;  prepared  luxuries  for  his  taste  ;  watched  his  looks  with 
untiring  but  delicate  assiduity ;  made  every  arrangement  for  his 
contemplated  voyage  ;  and  when  I,  melted  by  unaffected  distress, 
retreated  to  weep  in  silence,  she  nursed  him  like  the  son  of  her 
bosom. 

Nature  was  still  beautiful  to  him,  and  he  held  his  hand  ea 
gerly  for  the  garden  bouquet  which  was  my  daily  gift ;  while  a 
smile  (it  lingers  yet  like  a  sunset  glow  on  the  mountain  height 
of  memory),  a  grateful,  gentle  smile,  lighted  up  his  features, 
as,  with  a  few  murmured  words,  unheard  by  me,  he  bent  his  lips 
over  the  blossoms. 

Lewis  was  full  of  kind  attentions,  and  Duncan  received  him 
with  a  look  of  welcome ;  but  we  observed  that  it  increased  the 
nervous  wandering  of  his  thoughts  to  see  him. 

"  Father  knows  the  spot  where  I  am  to  be  buried,"  he  said 
one  day  after  an  interview  with  him,  "just  beside  my  mother's 
grave,  where  the  barberry  bushes  rise  over  the  stone  wall.  The 
graveyard  is  large  enough  for  us.  Just  beside  my  mother — my 
mother — my  mother,"  he  continued,  in  almost  a  whisper — "  what 
a  small  hand  was  this  when  she  pressed  it  for  the  last  time — 
smaller  than  Cornelia's !"  Then  he  gazed  on  his  thin  hand,  un 
til,  wearied  with  thoughts,  his  head  reclined  on  his  arm-chair, 
and  he  slept. 

This  excitement  yielded  to  medical  aid ;  and  the  contrast  of 
his  clear  and  energetic  mind,  as  his  fever  subsided,  in  the  view 
of  his  probable  death,  was  singularly  affecting. 

We  removed  to  the  city  with  him  in  order  to  facilitate  his 
departure  home.  It  was  one  of  our  bright  May  mornings  the 
day  before  he  sailed,  and  mamma  and  I  were  sitting  beside  him. 
He  looked  around  at  the  various  testimonials  which  were  collect 
ed  in  his  room  from  our  kind  acquaintances — those  affecting, 


70  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

spontaneous  exhibitions  of  hospitality,  which  almost  invariably 
soothe  the  sick  stranger  in  Southern  cities,  who  feels,  when  far 
from  the  domestic  relations  which  once  comforted  his  despond 
ing  moments,  that  these  slight  attentions  are  the  most  exquisite 
recompense  he  can  receive. 

A  servant  brought  a  choice  collection  of  flowers  from  the 
garden  of  a  florist — on  one  of  the  blossoms  was  pinned  a  note, 
written  with  a  delicate  hand — "  A  stranger's  kind  wishes  for  the 
invalid." 

Duncan  smiled.  "  This  is  the  way  you  win  our  hearts,"  said 
he 5  and  after  gazing  for  some  moments  on  the  flowers,  he  con 
tinued  mournfully,  "  These  are  the  last  soutliern  flowers  I  shall 
ever  see,  Mrs.  Wilton." 

Mamma  was  silent ;  I  laid  my  face  on  the  arm  of  his  chair, 
and  my  tears  trickled  down  on  his  wasted  hand.  "  Be  calm, 
Cornelia,"  he  said.  "  I  have  done  little,  if  I  have  only  educated 
you  for  life.  My  aim  has  been  higher ;  but  if  some  of  my 
teachings  have  been  lost  on  one  so  young,  I  hope  that  my  death 
may  be  an  impressive  lesson.  This  composure  of  mine  has  hot 
been  attained  without  a  struggle,  without  prayer,  without  the 
severance  of  ties  that  have  bound  me  with  a  grasp  of  iron.  But 
I  am  calm.  The  sunshine  which  looks  so  brightly  upon  us  is 
faint  compared  with  those  views  of  heaven  that  break  at  times 
on  my  imagination — these  flowers,  fresh  and  gorgeous,  and  cul 
tured  though  they  be,  are  almost  colorless  to  an  eye  that  looks 
forward  to  celestial  bowers.  Mrs.  Wilton,  may  I  tell  Cornelia 
a  story  to  teach  her  not  to  place  her  affections  too  strongly  on 
earth,  or,  at  least"  (and  he  glanced  upward),  "  to  give  her  a  re 
source  if  earth  should  fail  ?" 

Mamma  gently  smiled  her  acquiescence. 

"  I  knew  a  youth,"  he  said,  "  whose  temperament  led  him  to 
extremes ;  one  who,  though  untiring  in  energy,  sank  under  dis- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  7l 

appointment ;  if  he  lost  a  bird  or  a  flower  that  he  had  trained 
and  loved  he  wept  passionate  tears ;  and  if  thwarted,  his  will 
rose  in  angry  defiance.  He  lost  his  mother  just  at  the  period 
when  her  control  was  most  valuable  to  him.  He  had  never 
been  parted  from  her  before  ;  she  had  awoke  him  every  morn 
ing  with  her  smile  ;  and  every  evening,  though  half  ashamed  at 
the  indulgence,  he  stole  to  her  side,  laid  his  head  on  her  knee, 
and  felt  her  gentle  fingers  twining  his  hair,  or  pressing  his 
sleepy  eyelids.  She  died ;  it  was  his  first  sorrow,  and  it  cut 
his  soul  as  the  strong  axe  of  the  woodman  severs  the  sapling. 
He  threw  himself  on  her  cold  stiffened  form,  and  when  that  was 
wrested  from  him  he  tore  up  the  soil  with  his  young  hands,  and 
sought  to  bury  himself  with  her.  A  mind  like  this  required 
gentle  training,  but  it  also  required  strong  motives  to  virtue. 
His  father  guarded  him  with  tender  yet  vigorous  care,  and 
watched  him  as  we  watch  the  pulse  of  fever,  and  administer 
to  its  wants  or  check  its  excitement.  He  found  that,  for  such 
a  temperament,  a  high  and  ennobling  example  must  be  held  up, 
and  a  fair  and  glorious  hope.  Earth,  Cornelia,  affords  no  spot 
where  such  spirits  can  rest ;  it  quenches  not  their  thirst — they 
must  drink  at  an  inexhaustible  fountain,  or  they  die. 

';  The  father  of  the  youth  pointed  out  this  fountain  in  the 
gospel  of  Christ,  and  with  dexterous  art  directed  him  how  and 
where  to  find  it.  Under  these  influences,  which  levelled  his  im 
petuous  feelings  to  their  true  standard,  he  pursued  his  collegiate 
studies.  Can  I  call  them  studies  ?  He  played  with  the  deep 
things  of  science  as  a  child  wields  its  toys  ;  mastered  them  while 
others  were  conning  their  first  lessons,  and  bore  off  honors  as 
easily  as  the  wind  carries  clouds.  But  he  was  poor  ;  and  when 
his  ambitious  hopes  were  winging  their  flight  to  future  fame, 
that  cold  conviction  came  and  struck  them  to  the  earth.  He 
toiled  night  and  day  for  a  pittance  which  the  rich  man  expends 


72  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

on  a  bawble,  but  he  toiled  in  vain ;  a  feverish  flame  was  con 
suming  him  ;  it  would  have  consumed  him  quite,  had  not  re 
ligious  patience  whispered  quietness  to  his  excited  spirit  and 
burning  frame.  Sickness  came  on,  that  cloud  out  of  which 
speaks  a  voice  of  mercy,  and  he  was  ordered  to  a  Southern  cli 
mate  ;  the  climate  of  generous  and  tender  hearts,  my  friends 
(and  he  clasped  our  hands  in  his).  Under  the  soothing  influ 
ences  of  this  change  he  recovered ;  his  nerves  were  new  strung 
— he  trod  on  flowers — hope  lighted  up  his  way,  and  a  thought 
came  over  him  again,  that  by  high  intellectual  exertion  he 
might  rise  to  a  level  with  kindred  minds. 

"  A  young  pupil  was  intrusted  to  him  in  the  fresh  morning 
of  intelligence ;  blessed  with  such  a  growth  of  mental  luxury 
that  he  scarcely  knew  where  to  stop  in  training  her  powers,  and 
making  them  worthy  of  the  form  which  enshrined  them.  Nay, 
start  not,  Cornelia  ;  I  speak  as  a  dying  man  to  dying  men.  I 
have  never  before  told  you  you  were  beautiful  j  had  your  mind 
been  less  lovely,  your  person,  perhaps,  would  have  attracted  me 
more ;  but  your  intellect  and  your  young  affections  were  all 
to  me. 

"  I  had  a  dream  of  hope,  wild  and  unfixed  I  am  aware,  but  it 
beguiled  me  into  happiness.  I  meant  to  have  shut  it  up  in  my 
own  breast,  gone  abroad  into  the  world,  won  a  place  among 
men,  brought  back  a  name  and  laid  it  at  your  feet,  and  asked 
you  of  your  father  ;  but  another  came.  I  saw  your  eye  kindle 
for  him  when  it  was  only  kind  to  me.  I  saw  you  blush  at  his 
name  when  my  voice  was  scarcely  heard.  I  knew  these  indica 
tions  too  well ;  my  heart  echoed  the  truth  they  told  at  every 
throb — for  a  while  I  knew  them  in  bitterness  of  spirit. 

"  Think  not  that  I  am  dying  of  love,"  he  continued,  as  my 
sobs  interrupted  his  narrative.  "  The  dart  of  disease  was  long 
since  lodged  in  my  system.  Had  I  been  in  health,  my  vaulting 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  7o 

ambition  for  earthly  distinction,  and  those  religious  influences 
which  kept  it  in  check,  would  have  enabled  my  mind  to  recover 
its  tone  even  in  witnessing  your  preference  for  another.  Now, 
in  the  prospect  of  the  grave,  I  can  give  up  this  precious  hand 
almost  without  a  sigh — my  hopes  rest  elsewhere." 

Duncan  sailed  on  the  following  day,  and  it  seemed  to  me  that 
the  world  was  a  wilderness.  I  lingered  on  the  spot  where  I 
had  heard  his  last  words ;  I  visited  his  apartment,  touched  his 
books  with  reverent  grief,  and  when  I  saw  passages  marked  by 
his  hand,  my  gushing  tears  fell  in  renewed  tenderness. 

Many  years  afterward  I  visited  the  northern  section  of  our 
country.  I  saw  its  glowing  orchards,  its  lofty  hills,  its  culti 
vated  vales ;  I  enjoyed  all  that  is  high  and  intellectual  in  its 
society ;  I  admired  its  institutions,  supported  by  combined  gen 
erosity,  rising  in  perfect  harmony ;  I  beheld  commerce  whiten 
ing  its  seas,  and  agriculture  busy  with  its  soil :  I  lingered 
breathless  and  awe-struck  before  the  great  Niagara,  and  gazed 
with  calmer  joy  on  the  placid  lakes  that  lie  like  quiet  faces  on 
the  cultured  bosom  of  New- York ;  I  stood  in  the  clouds  on  the 
summit  of  the  White  Mountains,  and  gathered  flowers  in  the 
meadows  below  ;  but  when  was  my  heart  most  thrilled  and 
softened,  when  did  I  feel  that  all  that  is  gorgeous  and  lovely  on 
earth  is  but  a  trumpet  note  that  sounds  for  heaven  ?  It  was 
when,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  a  venerable  man,  whose  gray  hair 
and  trembling  step  was  mocked  by  the  living  lustre  of  a  smile. 

that  spoke  of  undying  mind,  I  visited  the  burial-place  of , 

and  read  the  inscription, 

"  SACRED  TO  THE  MEMORY  OF 

CHARLES  DUNCAN. 

AGED  24. 
Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart  for  they  shall  sec  God." 

4 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  BOAT-SONG. — TRIALS. 

"  I  would  not  enter  on  my  list  of  friends, 
(Though  graced  with  polish'd  manners  and  line  sense, 
Yet  wanting  sensibility)  the  man 
Who  needlessly  sets  foot  upon  a  worm." — Task. 

"  Play  the  fool  on  Sundays — 
If  he  the  tinkling  harpsichord  regards 
As  inoffensive,  what  offence  in  cards? 
Strike  up  the  fiddles,  let  us  all  be  gay  !" 

Progress  of  Error. 

DUNCAN'S  departure  was  indeed  an  impressive  lesson,  for  I 
knew  that  he  must  die ;  and  this  event,  more  than  any  other, 
served  to  create  the  vivid  impression  which  I  have  always  felt 
of  the  close  connection  between  mortality  and  immortality. 
Perhaps,  had  I  seen  the  pangs  of  dissolution,  and  witnessed  his 
form  laid  in  its  narrow  house,  and  heard  the  winds  rush  over 
his  grave  without  chilling  his  repose,  and  seen  the  sun  shed 
down  its  light  upon  it  without  unclosing  those  eyes  which  had 
so  often  sparkled  in  its  rays,  I  might  have  dwelt  on  his  materi 
ality  ;  but  from  the  moment  that  he  pressed  my  hand  in  parting, 
and  gave  a  last  melancholy  smile  as  the  carriage  drove  from  the 
door,  I  connected  him  with  heaven.  I  said,  His  mind  cannot  die. 

Early  in  November  we  departed  for  the  plantation.  Lewis, 
who  with  his  family  had  been  residing  at  Springland  through 
the  summer,  hastened  from  the  Elms  after  our  temporary  sepa 
ration  to  welcome  us.  His  feelings  were  touched  by  the  loss 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  75 

of  our  friend,  and  his  sympathy  made  him  doubly  welcome.  I 
soon  found,  however,  that  the  force  of  Duncan's  example,  which 
had  evidently  been  a  check  on  his  manners,  wore  away,  and  oc 
casionally  he  uttered  an  oath,  or  a  sentiment  forbidden  in  the 
Christian  school  of  love  and  purity.  The  elasticity  of  sixteen 
did  not  conceal  from  me  that  this  was  wrong ;  for  the  princi 
ples  implanted  by  Duncan  forbade  my  contemplating  the  indul 
gence  of  trifling  error  with  complacency,  and  his  departure 
made  me  revert  to  his  lessons  as  a  sacred  gift  committed  to  my 
care.  I  observed  with  sorrow,  that  whoever  did  not  reach  a 
certain  standard  of  taste  and  fashion,  were  subjects  of  Lewis's 
ridicule ;  goodness  seemed  to  him  nothing  for  its  own  sake ;  he 
cared  not  for  the  warmth  of  the  sun  without  its  glare.  Gen 
erous,  and  even  lavish  in  his  habits,  he  was  penurious  in  that 
best  of  all  charity  that  studies  the  feelings  of  others.  Yet  he 
was  our  guest,  and  commanded  my  courtesy ;  and  there  was,  be 
sides,  a  fascination  about  him  that  won  my  favor.  It  is  impos 
sible  for  a  young  girl  to  see  a  discriminating  man  assume  the 
most  deferential  deportment  to  her,  while  ridiculing  others, 
without  some  vanity ;  and  as  I  trusted  that  his  Jieart  was  right, 
I  enjoyed  his  humorous  satire,  hoping  not  to  compromise  my 
sense  of  rectitude  by  it ;  and  the  bright  intellect  of  Lewis,  his 
playful  manners,  his  devotion  to  me,  and  the  sympathy  of  youth, 
would  probably  have  taken  my  affections  captive  at  once,  had 
not  the  character  of  Duncan,  and  the  peculiar  circumstances  of 
his  departure,  created  for  me  an  elevated  standard  of  manly  virtue, 
and  rather  turned  the  romance  of  early  feeling  towards  his  memory, 
My  parents'  sincere  respect  had  been  awakened  by  Duncan's 
character.  How  delightful  is  it  to  think  that  goodness  multi 
plies  itself,  and  that,  in  the  ocean  of  wrong,  one  little  point  of 
truth  may  move  circle  on  circle  almost  indefinitely  !  Papa  re 
joiced,  as  all  men,  even  the  profligate,  will  rejoice,  to  see  his 


76  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

daughter's  mind  trained  to  piety ;  and  mamma,  in  her  faithful 
attendance  on  Duncan's  wants,  perceived  a  purer  atmosphere 
created  around  her  earthly  path.  New  ties  were  awakened  be 
tween  us,  and  I  soon  found  an  echo  in  her  heart  unknown  to 
me  before. 

The  time  was  rapidly  approaching  for  Lewis's  return  to  col 
lege  :  those  delicate  and  frequent  attentions,  which  tell  the  tale 
of  the  heart,  were  certainly  not  without  their  power  in  softening 
mine,  and  I  lost  my  sadness  at  the  thought  of  Duncan. 

One  fine  afternoon  my  brothers  and  myself  visited  the  Elms 
in  a  row-boat,  and  Lewis  returned  with  us  by  the  light  of  the 
moon,  which  looked  down  on  the  silvery  waves  of  the  Ashley  as 
if  refreshed  with  its  own  fair  image.  The  foliage  of  the  trees 
was  pictured  like  sunken  forests  of  verdure  in  the  pellucid 
stream.  The  call  of  a  night-bird  to  its  mate,  a  boat-horn  waking 
the  echoes,  and  the  mysterious  talk  of  solitary  nature,  were  the 
only  sounds  abroad,  and  these  were  drowned  in  the  plash  of 
our  oars,  and  the  bursts  of  laughter  from  our  merry  group. 

"  Come,  Juba,"  said  Lewis  to  the  head  oarsman,  "  sing  us  a 
song  ;  the  boys*  will  help  you." 

"  How  you  been  ax  me  for  sing.  Maus  Lewis  ?  Me  an't  got 
no  voice  for  sing,"  answered  Juba,  who,  like  many  of  his  breth 
ren,  required  as  much  urging  as  a  city  belle. 

After  delaying  until  we  had  almost  forgotten  our  request, 
Juba  commenced  a  tune,  the  oarsmen  striking  in  with  a  full  but 
untaught  counter  at  the  last  word  of  every  line. 

"  Hi  de  good  boat  Neely  ?f 
She  row  bery  fast,  Miss  Neely  ! 
An't  no  boat  like  a'  Miss  Neely, 
Ho  yoi' ! 

*  Boys,  a  term  used  to  negroes  even  of  a  mature  age. 
f  Plantation  boats  are  often  named  for  members  of  a  family.     The  cho 
rus  of  one  of  the  prettiest  boat-songs  I  ever  heard,  was  Eliza. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  77 

"  Who  gawing  to  row  wid  Miss  Neely  ? 
Can't  catch  a'  dis  boat  Neely — 
Nobody  show  he  face  wid  Neely, 
Ho  yoi'  r 

As  .  Juba  concluded  this  verse  he  paused  ;  a  sly  expression 
passed  over  his  face ;  he  put  an  additional  quid  of  tobacco  in 
his  mouth,  and  went  on — 

"  Maybe  Maus  Lewis  take  de  oar  for  Neely, 
Bery  handsome  boat  Miss  Neely ! 
Maus  Lewis  nice  captain  for  Neely, 
Ho  yoi' !" 

The  verse  was  welcomed  with  shouts  of  laughter,  and  called 
for  again  and  again,  until  the  echoes  of  the  Ashley  shouted 
"  encore  !"  but  all  the  solicitations  of  the  young  men  were  inef 
fectual  with  Juba,  who  looked  the  personification  of  composure. 

It  is  not  remarkable  that  my  thoughts  should  have  been  oc 
cupied,  in  a  lonely  stroll  on  the  following  day,  with  the  subject 
of  Juba's  song,  nor  that  I  should  turn  my  steps  to  a  footpath 
which  had  been  trodden  by  the  negroes  from  Mr.  Barnwell's 
residence  to  ours.  Not,  of  course,  to  go  there,  for  it  was  two 
miles  off,  but  it  was  a  sweet  romantic  walk,  and  for  half  the 
distance  branching  trees  knit  by  clustering  vines  formed  a  se 
cluded  and  delicious  arbor.  I  strayed  on,  animated  by  those 
thoughts  and  reveries  that  lift  the  form  along  like  a  bird's.  At 
one  point  the  scenery  was  so  lovely  that  I  stopped  to  gaze  on 
it,  and  my  elastic  feelings  were  about  bursting  out  into  song, 
when  I  heard  a  groan.  I  started ;  it  was  repeated ;  I  knew 
from  the  accompanying  ejaculation  that  it  was  from  a  negro, 
and,  as  a  planter's  daughter  fears  none  but  white  men,  I  has 
tened  to  discover  the  object.  I  was  surprised,  on  turning  from 
the  path,  to  find  among  the  bushes  a  servant  of  Mr.  Barnwell's 
disabled. 


78  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

'•  What  is  the  matter.  Bill  ?"  said  I  to  the  boy,  who  was  about 
sixteen  years  of  age.  He  looked  sullenly,  and  gave  no  reply. 

"Are  you  hurt?"  said  I.  u  Can  I  do  anything  for  you?  I 
can  go  home,  or  even  to  Mr.  Barnwell's,  and  get  help.  Master 
Lewis  will  come  to  you  in  a  moment." 

"  Bill  no  want  Maus  Lewis,"  said  the  boy,  bitterly,  shaking 
his  head.     ';  If  old  maussa  come,  bery  well,  but  Maus  Lewis — 
I  could  not  distinguish  the  remainder  of  the  sentence. 

I  was  perplexed  to  know  what  to  do,  and  was  turning  home 
ward,  when  another  groan  arrested  my  attention,  and  I  saw  Bill 
attempt  to  rise,  in  evident  pain. 

"  You  are  foolish,  boy,"  said  I,  "  not  to  tell  me  what  troubles 
you,  and  let  me  call  Lewis." 

Bill's  eyes  glared  fiercely  for  a  moment,  and,  turning  down 
the  collar  of  his  jacket,  I  saw  the  blood  streaming  from  his 
neck,  while  he  uttered  through  his  shut  teeth, "  Maus  Lewis  !" 

I  started  as  if  a  voice  of  thunder  had  sounded  on  my  ear. 
Papa's  and  Mr.  Barnwell's  plantations,  like  most  others  at  the 
South,  were  regulated  with  almost  military  precision.  No  pun 
ishment  was  ever  inflicted  but  by  an  authorized  person,  and  if 
he  overstepped  the  boundaries  of  mercy  in  his  justice,  he  was 
expelled  from  his  authority.  From  my  infancy,  I  had  never 
seen  a  gentleman  forget  the  deportment  of  a  gentleman  to  our 
slaves.  Deliberation  was  the  leading  trait  of  papa's  character 
as  a  master,  though  his  feelings  were  in  other  respects  ardent ; 
and  he  was  never  wearied  in  ascertaining  the  circumstances  of 
any  case  which  required  it.  Slaves  on  plantations  are  not  shut 
up  in  prisons,  but  a  strict  superintending  hand  is  necessary  to 
maintain  that  discipline  without  which  not  even  the  social 
hearth  can  be  preserved  free  from  strife. 

I  gazed  on  the  boy  with  commiseration — he  might  have  been 
guilty  of  wrong,  but  Lewis's  was  not  the  hand  to  chastise  him 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  *79 

and  I  could  not  check  the  mental  inquiry,  if  one  who  could 
yield  to  his  passions  with  an  inferior,  would  not  be  an  imperious 
companion  with  an  equal. 

As  I  stood  thus,  1  saw  Lewis  approach  ;  he  did  not  perceive 
Bill,  and  advanced  gaily.  I  presume  the  expression  of  my  face 
was  unusual.  As  I  looked  from  him  to  the  boy,  his  eyes  turned 
in  the  same  direction,  an  angry  flush  kindled  on  his  face,  and 
for  a  moment  his  ratan  was  lifted  as  in  threat.  Another  glance 
of  my  eye  changed  his  expression,  and  he  began  the  story  of  his 
offence. 

No  matter  what  it  was — a  charm  was  lost  to  me — one  of  the 
golden  threads  that  had  linked  my  imagination  to  the  beautiful 
and  good  was  snapped  asunder,  nor  was  it  united  when  Lewis, 
with  a  look  of  sorrow,  threw  from  his  purse  a  pecuniary  com 
pensation  to  the  boy. 

But  youth  is  full  of  hope  and  forgiveness  5  Lewis  was  sorry, 
Bill  as  cheerful  as  before,  and  it  was  not  many  days  ere  the 
former  was  replaced  in  my  confidence  ;  besides,  he  was  about  to 
leave  us ;  and  though  he  had  never  said  he  loved  me,  and  my 
happy  temperament  cared  not  for  the  declaration,  yet  I  felt  that 
his  absence  would  leave  a  chasm  in  our  little  circle. 

One  Sabbath  evening,  just  before  his  departure,  as  I  was 
playing  some  sacred  melodies,  he  took  up  a  song-book. 

"  Cornelia,  this  is  a  very  sacred  air,"  said  he,  turning  to  a 
popular  song.  "  I  am  sure  it  has  elevated  my  feelings  more 
than  half  the  psalm-tunes  that  people  sing  through  their  noses. 
Do  sing  it !" 

I  looked  at  him  with  surprise.  "  Cornelia,"  continued  he, 
laughing,  "  don't  look  so  solemnly.  I  suppose  you  would  stop 
the  mouth  of  the  mocking-bird  that  is  singing  his  evcry-day 
song  on  the  catalpa-tree,  because  he  has  not  a  Sunday  tune ;  or 
shut  up  the  flower-cups  for  dressing  too  gaily  1" 


80  RECOLLECTIONS    OP    A 

"  The  birds  and  flo'wers  have  had  no  revelation,  Lewis."  said 
I,  >;to  tell  them  to  reverence  the  Sabbath." 

A  look  that  I  scarcely  understood,  and  yet  could  not  but  dis 
approve,  and  a  short  whistle  were  his  answer. 

•;  Just  sing  this  song  for  me,  Cornelia,"  persisted  he,  "  and  I 
will  not  ask  for  another.  I  am  sure  it  is  solemn  enough  ;  and 
what  if  it  is  a  love-song,  are  we  not  commanded  to  love  one  an 
other?"  and  he  looked  at  me  so  earnestly,  that  I  blushed  and 
knew  not  what  to  say,  but  shook  my  head  disapprovingly. 

"  Then  play  me  this  overture,"  urged  he,  "  and  I  will  give  up 
the  song.  What  can  be  more  sublime  than  this  opening?" 
pointing  to  the  notes. 

"  I  cannot  play  anything,  Lewis,"  said  I,  "  but  what  is  con 
secrated  by  the  original  intention  of  the  composer,  or  by  sacred 
use.  What  can  you  wish  for  more  exquisite  than  these  pieces 
of  Handel  and  Haydn,  which  are  not  only  perfect  in  themselves, 
but  have  the  charm  of  holy  associations;  and  what  melody  is 
iiuor  than  the  old  English  psalmody?  Here  are  the  three 
tunes  mentioned  in  the  '  Cotter's  Saturday  Night,'  which  Mr. 
Duncan  loved  to  hear  on  the  Sabbath  twilight.  Shall  I  sing 
them  for  you  ?" 

u  Duncan  !  forever  Duncan  !"  said  Lewis,  in  a  suppressed 
voice.  ':  I  wish  you  had  never  known  that  Puritanical  Yan 
kee  ;"  but  seeing  me  look  offended,  he  continued,  humbly,  "  You 
will  not  play  what  I  wish  you  to  ?" 

;'  No,  Lewis,"  I  answered,  effectually  brought  to  self-posses 
sion  by  his  sarcasm  on  one  so  dear  to  me. 

"  But,  Cornelia,"  said  he,  "  this  is  altogether  a  matter  of 
prejudice.  One  of  the  most  sensible  girls,  and  the  most  exqui 
site  singer  in ,  does  not  hesitate  to  sing  and  play  popular 

airs  on  Sunday  evening." 

'•  Tell  her,  then,  when  you  next  meet  her."  said  I,  rising  and 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  81 

leaving  the  pianoforte,  "  that  she  does  not  deserve  the  gift 
which  God  has  given  her  ;  that  the  higher  her  voice  rises  in  the 
scale  of  harmony,  the  lower  sinks  her  sense  of  moral  and  re 
ligious  duty.  Ask  her  if  it  is  indeed  too  much  for  one  whom 
God  has  endowed  with  such  powers,  to  devote  them  one  day  in 
seven  to  Him  ?  And  never  dare,  Mr.  Barnwell,  to  use  a  name 
so  sacred  as  that  of  Charles  Duncan  disrespectfully  in  my  pres 
ence — the  name  of  one"  (and  my  eyes  filled  with  tears)  "  who  is 
perhaps  now  looking  on  me  from  his  spiritual  throne,  anxious  to 
know  if  his  pure  example  sustains  me  in  temptation." 

It  is  rarely  that  a  girl  of  sixteen  reproves  seriously.  A 
pretty  sullenness,  a  pettish  retort,  or  a  gay  badinage  are  her 
weapons ;  but  when  the  light  of  a  just  indignation  does  dart 
from  a  youthful  eye,  when  with  an  elevated  form,  a  kindling 
glance,  a  crimson  cheek,  and  a  voice  half  tremulous,  half  au 
thoritative,  she  denounces  error,  sages  may  bend  before  her. 

Lewis  felt  it  was  no  longer  safe  to  trifle  ;  he  knew,  as  most 
men  do,  when  a  woman  is  sincere,  and,  bidding  me  good-night, 
he  retired. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE   DEPARTURE. 

"  Poetry  and  sorg, 

Music  and  books  led  the  glad  hours  along  ; 
Worlds  of  the  vision'd  minstrel,  fancy,  wove 
Tales  of  old  time,  of  chivalry,  and  love ; 
Or  converse  calm,  or  wit-shafts  sprinkled  round, 
Like  beams  from  gems,  too  light  and  fine  to  wound ; 
With  spirits  sparkling  as  the  morning's  sun, 
Light  as  the  dancing  wave  he  smiles  upon, 
Like  his  own  course— alas !  too  soon  to  know 
Bright  suns  may  set  in  storms,  and  gay  hearts  sink  in  woe." 

J.  R.  DKAKB. 

"  How  happy  is  he  born  and  taught, 
Who  serveth  not  another's  will ; 
Whose  armor  is  his  honest  thought, 
And  simple  truth  his  utmost  skill! 
Whoso  passions  not  his  masters  arc." 

SIR  H.  WOTTON. 

"  I  HAVE  come  to  bid  you  good-bye,"  said  Lewis,  the  second 
morning  after  our  stormy  interview,  as,  pushing  aside  the  clus 
tering  vines  at  the  window  with  his  riding-whip,  he  lightly 
tapped  my  shoulder.  "  Am  I  forgiven  ?" 

It  is  a  happy  part  of  my  temperament  to  forget  offences,  and 
the  severest  punishment  ever  inflicted  on  me  for  being  angry  at 
all,  is  to  feel,  after  the  first  irritability  is  over,  the  necessity  of 
studying  the  curve  of  a  courtesy,  or  the  precise  point  to  which 
a  finger  must  be  extended  in  shaking  hands.  I  could  never  be 
drilled  into  these  calculations.  I  have  had  preferences,  warm 
ones  too ;  but  ice  upon  ice  in  the  manners  of  others  has  been 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  A  SOUTHERN  MATRON.          83 

necessary,  before  my  innate  love  of  human  beings,  as  brethren, 
could  be  chilled.  Old  as  I  am,  I  am  a  novice  still  in  this. 
Nor  am  I  sorry  ;  for  by  this  token  I  feel  that  God  has  given 
me  a  heart  to  love  his  creatures. 

Lewis  was  the  last  person  in  the  world  against  whom  I  could 
have  harbored  anger ;  and  as  he  inserted  his  handsome  face 
among  the  leaves,  glowing  with  exercise,  and  kindling  with  ex 
cited  sensibility  and  doubt  unusual  to  him,  and  which  the  little 
bravado  of  his  manner  could  not  conceal,  he  saw  at  once,  by  my 
smile,  that  he  was  forgiven. 

"  I  am  afraid  to  come  in  till  you  bid  me,"  said  he,  putting  his 
hand  before  his  face  boyishly. 

His  eyes  were  not  so  much  hidden  as  to  conceal  my  extended 
hand,  which  he  seized,  and,  leaping  through  the  window,  in  a 
moment  was  surrounded  by  our  little  ones,  who  loaded  with  ca 
resses  the  absentee  of  two  days. 

No  shade  was  left  on  any  brow.  Who  has  not  felfc  the  elec 
tric  magic  of  a  smile  ?  Delicious  good-humor !  Bright  gift 
from  Him  who  giveth  sunshine  and  flowers — blessed  fireside 
partner — brightest  soother  of  care — most  delicate  grace  of  youth 
— fair  lingerer  by  the  side  of  serene  old  age — I  dedicate  myself 
to  thee !  What  though  the  wrinkle  gathers  on  my  brow,  and 
the  chestnut  curls  of  youth  are  fading  to  the  gray  of  gathered 
years,  give  me  but  the  reflected  lustre  of  thy  smile,  and  I  shall 
charm  even  yet  the  eyes  that  love  me  ! 

Lewis  lingered ;  he  had  been  successful  in  hunting,  and  he 
must  stay  to  taste  Maum  Nell's  cookery  of  the  venison  he 
brought  us  ;  Robert  had  some  new  fishing-tackle  from  town,  and 
Lewis  must  certainly  wait  to  test  it ;  papa  was  trimming  fruit- 
trees,  and  Lewis  had  lately  seen  his  father's  mode,  and  must 
help  him  ;  John  was  to  get  his  opinion  of  a  new  saddle  for  his 
mare  Jenny ;  and,  lest  all  these  things  should  be  insufficient  to 


84  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

fill  his  time,  Lewis  drew  from  his  pocket  the  newly-published 
poem  of  "  The  Lady  of  the  Lake,"  and  offered  to  read  it  to 
mamma  and  me.  He  was  a  glorious  reader,  and  his  eyes  helped 
him  on  with  their  full  expression.  "  The  longest  summer's  day 
would  have  seemed  too  much  in  haste,"  while,  with  a  perfect  mi- 
bodying  of  the  author's  sentiments  in  his  voice  and  looks,  he 
read  to  us  this  delicate  inspiration  ;  how  then  must  our  winter 
daylight  have  flown  !  Yet,  let  the  truth  be  confessed,  neither 
Malcolm  Graeme  nor  Ellen  Douglas  prevented  our  discussing 
the  venison  at  dinner,  nor  our  enjoying  a  dance  after  supper,  for 
we  possessed  the  usual  plantation  luxury  of  a  fiddler.  I  do  not 
feel  bound  to  say  how  many  tunes  Diggory  played,  nor  how 
well  a  few  visits  to  town  had  initiated  his  quick  eye  and  ear 
into  the  tunes  and  figures  of  some  newly-introduced  cotillions. 
It  is  amusing  to  observe  how  soon  a  pretty  air  is  appropriated, 
in  Charleston,  by  the  negroes,  by  their  quick  musical  organs. 
You  hear  the  mason's  apprentice  whistle  it  as  he  handles  his 
trowel,  the  chimney-sweep  sings  it  between  his  technical  cry, 
the  nurse  warbles  it  forth  to  her  charge,  and,  almost  before  you 
know  it  yourself,  you  hear  it  trilling  from  the  lips  of  your 
dressing-maid. 

Mamma  was  dragged  from  her  seat  like  a  martyr  by  one  of 
the  boys,  and  I.  as  usual,  was  Lewis's  partner.  Diggory's  air 
of  importance  was  exceedingly  ludicrous  ;  his  whole  identity 
seemed  changed  by  the  stroke  of  his  fiddle.  Poor  mamma  had 
never  been  much  of  a  dancer ;  all  her  early  associations  were 
connected  with  the  minuet  and  contra-dance ;  and  when  Dig- 
gory  called  out  with  the  voice  of  a  Stentor, 

•:  Fore  and  back  two,  ole  missis — ladies  change — turn  you 
partiner  at  de  corner — shasha  all  round,"  she  was  nearly  beside 
herself;  while  Diggory,  sometimes  stopping  short  and  rolling  up 
his  white  eyes,  exclaimed, "  My  lor !  my  ole  missis  spile  eberyting !" 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  85 

Diggory,  alas  !  in  his  musical  science  and  dancing  oratory 
was  but  a  specimen  of  our  city  ball-room  performers.  Unac 
quainted  with  the  science  of  music,  though  gifted  with  decided 
natural  powers,  they  play  antics  with  the  "high  heaven  of 
sound,"  while  sawing  violins,  harsh  clarionets,  jingling  tambou 
rines,  crashing  triangles,  with  the  occasional  climax  of  a  base 
drum,  make  up  in  quantity  what  is  deficient  in  quality ;  and 
then,  overtopping  even  that  climax,  comes  the  shout  of  a  voice 
with  the  negro  dialect,  calling  out  the  figures,  which,  to  a 
stranger,  makes  "  confusion  worse  confounded."  The  South 
is  certainly  far,  far  behind  the  civilized  world  in  music  of  this 
character,  and  there  seems  little  hope  of  a  remedy.* 

But,  fortunately,  youth  is  not  critical  anywhere,  and  we  were 
not  critical  at  Roseland.  Diggory's  fiddle,  like  the  horn  of 
Oberon,  was  a  potent  spell  to  set  us  in  motion ;  and  as  for  his 
harmony,  we  knew  not  the  folly  of  being  too  wise,  nor  cared 
for  the  luxurious  adaptation  to  modulated  sound,  gliding 

"  Softly  sweet  in  Lydian  measure." 

Our  dancing  was  all  spring  and  impulse,  like  the  step  of  child 
hood  when  it  chases  butterflies  to  the  piping  of  fresh  winds. 

"  I  shall  leave  the  Elms  to-morrow,"  said  Lewis  in  a  low  tone 
to  me,  when  we  had  "  tired  each  other  down."  "  Get  your  cloak 
and  walk  with  me  in  the  piazza ;  do,  Cornelia." 

I  appealed  to  mamma,  who  consented,  inserting  another  pin 
in  my  cloak,  and  wondering  that  we  could  leave  the  bright  light- 
wood  blaze  on  the  hearth  for  the  cold  moonlight.  She  was  sure 
papa  and  herself  would  not  be  such  fools. 

The  night  was  beautiful,  and  the  waning  moon  revealed  the 
"  lesser  glories."  They  brought  Duncan  to  my  thoughts,  and 
my  lips  spake  from  the  fulness  of  my  heart. 

*  In  1849, 1  am  happy  to  say  that  this  evil  is  thoroughly  remedied. 


86  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

"  I  am  not  surprised,  Lewis,"  I  said,  "  that  the  ancients 
should  have  imbodicd  the  stars  in  forms  of  life.  I  could  weave 
an  image  of  Charles  Duncan  with  every  constellation.  The  dia 
mond  which  helps  to  form  Delphinus  reminds  me  of  his  beauti 
fully-proportioned  character ;  Sagitta  of  his  thoughts,  which  flew 
like  bright  arrows  to  every  mind ;  the  Crux  of  the  elevated  faith 
which  lay  along  and  illuminated  his  path,  like  that  on  the  Gal 
axy  5  and  Corona  of  the  glowing  crown  which  ought  in  life  and 
in  death  to  encircle  his  noble  brow." 

An  impatient  motion  from  Lewis  checked  me,  and  I  looked 
at  him  for  his  meaning. 

"  I  did  not  come  to  prate  about  the  stars,  Miss  Wilton,"  said 
he,  bitterly.  ':  I  must  soon  leave  you,  and  they  will  be  all  dark 
ness  to  me ;  but  you,"  continued  he.  sarcastically,  '•  will  be  com 
forted  in  their  beams,  for  Charles  Duncan  is  their  hero." 

'•  Unkind  Lewis,"  said  I ;  but,  wishing  to  soothe  him.  I  added, 
"  Suppose  I  make  you  the  head  of  my  system ;  l  there  is  a  glory 
of  the  suitf  as  well  as  of  the  moon  and  stars." 

"I  am  not  in  the  mood  for  trifling,  Cornelia,"  interrupted  he, 
impetuously.  ':  I  asked  for  a  few  moments'  intercourse  with 
you,  to  lay  before  you  the  collected  love  of  my  early  years.  I 
know  we  are  young,  but  I  am  going  from  you.  You  will  visit 
Charleston,  and  a  thousand  fools  will  linger  near  you,  and  catch 
your  smile,  and  listen  to  your  voice,  while  I  am  distant  and  un- 
remembered.  I  wished  to  tell  you,  that  from  the  first  moment 
of  our  childish  frolics  to  the  present  time,  you  have  been  my 
heart's  choice ;  and  to  offer  you  that  heart  in  its  truest  devo 
tion  ;  but  no  ;  your  form  is  near  me,  it  is  true ;  but,  though  you 
know  that  this  is  your  last  interview  with  me  for  months,  per 
haps  forever,  you  gaze  on  the  stars  and  sigh  for  Charles  Dun 
can." 

I  was  puzzled  for  a  reply ;   half  frightened  with  the  abrupt- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  8 7 

ness  of  the  declaration,  and  the  unreasonableness  of  his  views,  I 
knew  not  what  to  say,  and  fairly  laughed  outright.  He  became 
furious  ;  called  me  coquettish,  heartless,  and  many  names  that 
love  should  not  even  know  how  to  spell. 

"  What  do  you  require  of  me,  Lewis  ?"  said  I,  anxiously. 

'•  Your  whole  soul,"  was  his  answer.  "  My  day-thought  and 
night-dream  will  be  only  of  you,  and  I  demand  the  same  re 
turns.  I  will  not  accept  a  love  doled  out  of  the  heart's  treas 
ury  like  gold  from  the  purse  of  the  miser.  True  aifection 
knows  no  mcum  and  tuum ;  it  is  poured  forth  like  a  flood  from 
two  souls,  and  those  two  become  one.  But  I  am  a  fool  to 
frighten  you  with  my  vehemence.  I  will  be  more  gentle.  I 
will  sue  you  as  the  south  wind  courts  the  flowers.  I  will  be  as 
gentle  as  Charles  Duncan,  if  you  will  only  promise  to  keep  your 
heart  until  my  return,  if  you  do  not  give  it  to  me." 

"  You  have  done  well  for  me,  Lewis,"  said  I,  "  to  repeat  that 
name  ;  it  is  a  talisman.  Mr.  Duncan,  who  studied  my  temper 
ament,  often  warned  me  never  to  connect  myself  either  in  friend 
ship  or  love  with  one  who  knew  not  self-control.  Stormy  pas 
sions  terrify  me.  Besides,  I  do  not  deserve  the  language  you 
have  used  to  me.  I  love  Charles  Duncan  as  I  love  my  own 
brothers — no  farther." 

"  But  he  has  biassed  you,"  said  Lewis,  moodily  ;  "  you  confess 
it ;"  and  he  drew  his  arm  away  from  mine  rudely. 

"  He  never  breathed  your  name  disrespectfully."  answered  I, 
warmly ;  "  he  was  too  high-souled  for  that." 

'•  If  it  is  true,  then,  that  you  do  not  love  Charles  Duncan," 
said  he,  throwing  himself  on  his  knees  before  me,  his  eyes  flash 
ing  with  emotion,  his  teeth  shut,  and  his  breast  heaving,  "  swear 
to  me  that  you  will  enter  into  no  engagement  with  him  or  oth 
ers  until  my  return.  You  will  never  break  a  vow.  Swear  it 
to  me,  in  mercy,  Cornelia." 


88  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

"  I  will  not  make  such  a  vow,"  said  I,  resolutely,  withdraw 
ing  the  hands  he  was  clasping  in  his ;  "  my  heart  is  not  to  be 
taken  by  storm-;  and  as  for  swearing,  I  have  been  taught  by  too 
gentle  a  master." 

"  Curse  him !  curse  him  !"  muttered  Lewis,  with  the  bitter 
gush  of  overwrought  passion.  I  started  from  his  side  with  a 
scream  of  terror,  ran  through  the  piazza  as  if  pursued  by  a 
fiend,  burst  open  the  door,  and  threw  myself  weeping  into  mam 
ma's  arms.  The  next  day  I  heard  that  Lewis  was  gone. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

JACQUE'S   FUNERAL. 

"  The  earliest  summon'd,  and  the  longest  spared, 
Are  here  deposited,  with  tribute  paid 
Various ;  but  unto  each  some  tribute  paid." 

WORDSWORTH'S  Excursion. 

LET  me  pause  to  bestow  a  parting  notice  on  one  who  is  still 
associated  with  the  happiest  and  tenderest  scenes  of  my  youth. 
Jacque's  labors,  as  is  customary  with  aged  slaves,  had  been 
gradually  suspended.  He  still  performed  a  few  voluntary  du 
ties,  and  might  be  seen  on  sunshiny  days  propping  a  failing  fence, 
clearing  an  encumbered  hedge,  drying  nets,  making  baskets  of 
rushes  or  oak,  attending  to  his  pigs  or  poultry,  or,  with  a  char 
acteristic  eye  to  his  master's  interests,  tottering  to  the  field,  and 
shaking  his  head  if  he  detected  any  symptom  of  waste.  Still 
retaining  a  feeling  of  authority,  he  was  angered  by  idleness ; 
even  the  young  negroes,  whose  greatest  toil  was  to  turn  somer 
sets,  and  dance  to  their  own  whistling,  tried  to  look  busy  or 
grave  when  his  eye  was  on  them,  long  after  his  corporeal  and 
mental  powers  had  ceased  their  activity.  But  the  time  drew 
near  when  old  Jacque  must  die.  It  was  in  vain  that  mamma 
gave  him  her  personal  attendance,  sent  him  daily  luxuries,  and 
anticipated  his  wants  with  almost  filial  tenderness ;  the  golden 
chord  of  his  life  was  loosened,  and  we  were  told  one  morning  that 
he  had  died,  breathing  a  prayer  for  his  master's  family. 


90  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

Mamma  had  asked  him,  many  years  before,  if  there  was  any 
thing  she  could  do  for  his  comfort. 

"  Tank  you  much,  my  missis,"  he  answered ;  "  Jacque 
hub  everyting  him  want  in  dis  world,  'cept  he  shroud,  praise 
God." 

Mamma  gave  him  money,  and  he  expended  it  on  grave-clothes. 
He  had  taken  them  out  and  aired  them  from  year  to  year ;  now 
they  were  indeed  to  enfold  his  venerable  remains  ;  and  we  were 
a  mourning  family ;  true,  we  were  not  clad  in  weeds,  but  a  ten 
der  tie  had  been  riven,  and  it  was  riven  with  tears.  None  but 
those  who  live  under  our  peculiar  institutions  can  imagine  the 
strong  bond  existing  between  faithful  servants  and  the  families 
with  whom  they  are  connected. 

I  was  informed  by  Maum  Nanny,  Jacque's  sister,  that  he  had 
left  something  for  me  in  the  sill  of  his  chest  as  his  dying  be 
quest.  An  old  pocket-book  was  found  there,  which  I  opened, 
and  discovered  several  bills  of  continental  money  carefully 
wrapped  in  paper.* 

Plantation  negroes  prefer  to  bury  their  dead  at  night  or  be 
fore  sunrise.  Neighboring  plantations  are  notified,  and  all  who 
can  obtain  tickets  from  overseers  attend.  A  spot  of  ground  is 
allotted  for  their  burial-place,  and  simple  monuments  of  affec 
tion  may  usually  be  found  in  them.  The  ceremony  of  inter 
ment  is  commonly  performed  by  a  class  leader,  a  pious  colored 
man,  who  is  the  spiritual  teacher  of  the  neighborhood,  and  pre 
pares  his  brethren  by  an  examination  into  their  belief,  and  a 
watch  over  their  conduct  and  feelings,  for  communion. 

The  "  pomp  and  circumstance"  of  the  burial,  for  it  is  not  less 
among  slaves,  in  proportion,  than  in  palaces,  delayed  the  funeral 

*  It  may  scarcely  be  necessary  to  repeat  that  this  incident  and  others 
in  the  Southern  Matron,  like  those  in  the  Northern  Housekeeper,  are 
founded  in  truth. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  91 

until  midnight.  As  the  visitors  assembled,  they  crowded  the 
hut  of  the  deceased,  and  when  that  was  full,  stood  around  the 
entrance  near  the  coffin.  At  short  intervals  some  among  the 
group  commenced  a  hymn,  in  which  all  joined  j  refreshments 
were  then  decorously  distributed.* 

The  death  of  Jacque  was  'particularly  affecting  to  me,  for  I 
had  been  his  especial  favorite.  I  went  with  the  boys  to  see  him 
after  his  decease ;  and  though  I  did  not  feel  the  faintness  which 
came  over  me  at  witnessing  the  remains  of  grandmamma,  yet  I 
had  that  dizzy  sensation  which  youth  often  experiences  at  the 
immense  difference  between  a  bright  intellectual  glance  and  the 
glazed  eye  or  moveless  lid,  between  the  warm  touch  of  affection 
and  the  stiff,  cold  hand  that  returns  no  pressure. 

The  night  of  his  interment  was  mild,  and  I  sat  at  my  window 
by  the  starlight,  watching  the  approach  of  the  negroes  as  they 
crossed  the  fields  or  came  through  the  avenue.  Torches  were 
seen  glowing  in  the  range  of  whitewashed  huts,  and  a  bush-lightf 
was  flaming  near  Jacque's  habitation,  which  was  so  brilliant  that 
I  perceived  the  coffin  and  the  groups  gathering  round  it ;  while 
occasionally  strains  of  their  hymn  came  floating  with  a  softened 
cadence  on  the  breeze.  The  procession  was  formed  ;  six  women 
dressed  in  white,  preceded  the  coffin,  and  the  pall-bearers,  bear 
ing  torches,  were  on  each  side.  Their  path  lay  near  the  house, 
and  nothing  was  to  be  heard  but  an  occasional  ejaculation  of 
"  Lord  Jesus  !"  "  He  knows  !"  "  God  have  mercy  !"  "  His  will 
be  done !" 

*  This  solemnity  is  usually  styled  by  the  negroes  "  a  setting  up." 
When  a  funeral  occurs  at  too  great  a  distance  from  the  city  to  procure 
tea,  coffee,  &c.,  or  the  owners  do  not  provide  them,  the  body  is  in 
terred,  and  the  friends  afterward  celebrate  what  is  called  a  "  false  bury 
ing,"  where  religious  ceremonies  are  performed,  and  refreshments  pro 
vided. 

f  A  fire  of  light  wood  kindled  on  a  small  mound  of  earth. 


92  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

The  burial-place  was  near  the  river,  and  a  huge  oak  threw  its 
arms  over  it  as  if  protecting  the  dwelling  of  the  dead.  I  could 
see  them  as  they  wound  down  the  slope  and  stood  in  a  circle 
round  the  grave,  distance  still  softening  their  sacred  song.  It 
was  one  which  I  had  heard  from  infancy  in  their  devotional  ex 
ercises,  but  never  had  it  touchecr  my  feelings  as  now,  when  it 
rose  over  poor  Jacque's  last  dwelling-place.  The  leader  spoke ; 
at  first  his  voice  was  low,  then  rising  to  that  declamatory  shout 
which  often  carries  the  feelings  captive,  it  reached  me  where  I 
sat.  He  described  the  tomb  of  Lazarus,  and  said  that  Jesus 
wept,  and  that  they  might  weep,  for  a  good  brother  was  gone, 
and  there  was  no  Jesus  by  his  grave  to  bring  him  back ;  he 
dwelt  on  the  character  of  Jacque,  and  on  their  duty  in  imitating 
his  example  ;  told  them  to  be  grateful  for  their  religious  bless 
ings,  for,  while  the  heathen  were  in  darkness,  a  great  light  had 
shone  upon  them ;  dwelt  long  on  their  sinfulness  and  Go  d;s 
anger,  and  taxed  his  imagination  to  paint  the  torments  of  hell 
unless  they  repented  and  accepted  the  Gospel. 

Familiarity  with  his  dialect  prevented  with  me  all  that  might 
have  been  ludicrous  to  a  stranger.  He  prayed  for  his  master 
and  mistress,  that  God  might  reward  them  for  all  their  good 
ness  to  brother  Jacque.  "  Oh  Lord  Jesus,"  he  cried,  "  bless 
my  young  maussas.  Gie  'em  good  counsel,  and  let  'em  drink 
of  de  water  of  life,  and  bless  my  young  missis  ;  may  she  know 
de  Lord  dat  bought  her,  and  may  she  bring  her  alabaster  box 
of  ointment  and  pour  it  out  for  the  love  of  her  maussa,  Christ." 

As  these  words  reached  me,  I  could  not  restrain  my  tears  : 
I  laid  my  head  on  the  window-sill  and  sobbed  aloud.  Another 
hymn  was  sung.  The  words  of  Watts,  the  sweet  singer  of  the 
Christian  Israel,  whose  tender  notes  fall  like  gentle  dew  on  the 
heart  of  monarch  and  slave,  rose  in  the  quiet  midnight  under 
that  starry  heaven. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  93 

'"  Why  do  we  mourn  departing  friends, 

Or  shake  at  death's  alarms'? 
'Tis  but  the  voice  that  Jesus  sends 
To  call  them  to  his  arms." 

As  they  ceased,  the  waving  lights  passed  away.  I  was  again 
alone  with  night  in  its  silenjpbeauty.  I  threw  myself  on  my 
bed,  the  sounds  still  vibrating  on  my  memory  ;  and,  as  my  eyes 
closed  in  sleep,  a  vision  of  the  mansion  whither  the  spirit  of 
Jacque  had  risen  came  before  me,  and  I  heard  cherub  voices 
welcome  him  to  his  heavenly  home. 

A  plain  marble  slab  may  be  seen  at  Roseland.  on  which  is 
inscribed, 

SACRED    TO    THE    MEMORY    OF 

JACQUE, 

A    FAITHFUL    SLAVE. 

His  master  bears  this  testimony  to  his  worth.* 
*  A  similar  monument  is  on  a  plantation  a  few  miles  from  Charleston. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE   COUNTRY   CHUECH. 

"  Encincture  small, 
But  infinite  in  grasp  of  joy  and  woe ! 
Hopes,  fears,  in  never-ending  ebb  and  flow — 
The  spousal  ireinbling— and  the  '  dust  to  dust' — 
The  prayers— the  contrite  struggle — and  the  trust 
That  to  the  Almighty  Father  looks  through  all !" 

WORDSWORTH. 

ONE  would  have  thought,  by  the  lathering  and  scrubbing  on 
Sunday  mornings  at  Roseland,  that  we  were  laborers  through 
the  week,  and  had  but  this  holiday.  All  the  little  ones  came 
forth  from  their  ablutions  with  wry  faces  and  blue  noses,  look 
ing  like  anything  rather  than  tranquil  young  Christians  ;  and 
mamma  had  that  stiff  air  which  a  determination  to  keep  new 
clothes  for  Sunday  is  apt  to  produce.  She  was  frequently  be 
lated,  for  the  church  was  eight  miles  distant,  and  it  really  was 
an  effort  to  get  children,  servants,  horses  and  carriages  ready 
for  such  a  drive.  We  suffered  a  country  inconvenience  with 
regard  to  clothes.  Mamma's  new  bonnet,  on  its  arrival  from 
the  city,  was  liable  to  contract,  and  stand  upon  the  top  of  her 
head  like  a  funnel ;  or  little  Ben,  our  hero  of  six  years,  was 
squeezed  into  a  new  jacket,  every  button  of  which  remonstrated ; 
or  papa's  boots  would  give  an  unaccountable  pinch  on  his  corns, 
though  the  pattern  sent  to  town  was  of  ample  dimensions.  But 
these  incidents  were  not  always  occurring.  Often  did  mamma's 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  A  SOUTHERN  MATRON.         95 

bonnet  fit,  and  Ben's  little  fat  figure  roll  on  in  easy  rotundity, 
and  papa's  face  beam  out  a  cornless  smile,  and  the  little  race 
of  Wiltons,  with  their  plump,  mottled  bare  arms  and  necks,  and 
curling  hair,  and  unfretted  cleanliness,  come  tattling  down  from 
their  baths  the  very  pictures  of  happy  childhood  ;  while  the 
babe,  Patsey,  looked  redolent  of  smiles,  spite  of  the  pink  satin 
hat  and  the  three  rows  of  lace  which  lay  with  its  checkered 
shade  on  her  soft  brow,  confining  her  one  thin  lock  of  silky 
brown  hair,  and  spite  of  her  satin-lined  cloak  fettering  her  dim 
pled  feet  as  they  played  a  tattoo  against  her  nurse's  ribs. 

Mamma,  when  she  could  find  time,  madame,  when  she  could 
find  inclination,  Mr.  Duncan  and  I  or  the  other  children,  usu 
ally  occupied  the  carriage  ;  my  brothers  rode  their  own  horses, 
while  papa  preferred  a  little  buggy,  in  which  he  could  cross  and 
reconnoitre  two  or  three  fields  on  his  way. 

Many  of  these  drives  Mr.  Duncan  and  I  had  taken  alone. 
He  told  me  that  not  on  one  mountain  only  is  God  worshipped 
in  spirit  and  in  truth,  but  that  the  woods  and  skies  are  a  tem 
ple,  in  which,  as  in  earthly  fanes,  we  may  commune  with  the 
Deity,  and  I  soon  realized  this  truth.  Nature  seemed  more 
still  on  the  Sabbath  than  at  other  times  in  our  lone  and  lofty 
forests  ;  the  birds  checked  their  chattering  joy,  and  poured  out 
hymns  of  praise  ;  the  woods  waved  in  calmer  reverence,  and 
there  was  a  hush  of  solemnity  in  the  floating  clouds,  as  they 
canopied  the  throne  of  the  Invisible. 

Nor  were  these  emotions  disturbed  by  the  view  of  our  coun 
try  church.  It  rose  in  simple  architecture,  discovered  by  its 
white  walls  amid  the  clustering  green  ;  and  though  it  was  some 
times  thought  that  a  sufficient  care  was  not  taken  to  prune  the 
wild  growth  around  it,  particularly  in  the  graveyard,  where 
affection  could  scarcely  read  the  record  of  its  love,  yet  the  wild- 
ness  of  the  spot  seemed  to  me  to  suit  the  mood  of  revery  which 


96  RECOLLKCTIOXS    OF    A 

falls  on  the  thoughtful  rambler  amid  forest  graves.  The  burial- 
place  was  not  large,  for  most  plantations  have  their  own  ;  but 
it  was  capacious  enough  to  tell  the  usual  tale  of  infancy  with 
ered  in  its  early  bud.  of  manhood  cut  down  in  its  prime,  and  of 
old  age  seeking  its  last  repose.  The  birds,  scarcely  restrained 
by  winter,  poured  out  their  songs  over  the  dead  ;  the  gray  moss 
hung  floating  from  the  falling  walls  ;  rose-bushes,  unchecked 
and  untrained,  waved  in  the  winds  :  and  a  tame  deer,  which  no 
one  claimed,  resorted  thither,  loving  the  Sabbath  communion 
of  human  beings.  It  was  a  simple  scene,  and  where  was  its 
charm  ?  I  have  heard  that  those  who  have  crossed  the  ocean, 
and  seen  the  tombs  of  buried  intellect  in  England's  great  me 
tropolis,  and  gazed  on  the  ruins  of  fallen  greatness  in  luxurious 
Italy,  and  pondered  on  the  Eastern  Pyramids  towering  over  a 
handful  of  dust,  in  the  midst  of  the  lofty  speculations  incident 
in  such  scenes,  would  revert  to  the  place  of  their  early  wor 
ship,  and  the  thought  of  it  would  come  like  the  gushing  of  a 
cool  stream  over  the  soul.  What  is  this  charm  ?  Answer, 
simple,  untaught  Nature,  for  the  voice  can  only  rise  from  thee ! 

But,  with  all  this  sensibility  to  external  objects,  I  had  lis 
tened  to  the  ritual  and  preaching  of  this  church  almost  un 
touched  ;  for  our  minister,  and  may  God  forgive  him,  was  cold 
himself,  unkindled  with  that  sense  of  his  high  vocation  which 
lends  ardor  to  prayer  and  power  to  exhortation.  How  could 
his  audience  feel  zeal  in  services  where  they  saw  no  heart  ?  It 
is  praise  to  them  that  they  performed  their  duty.  How  could 
he  expect  the  soul  to  hover  on  the  lips  of  his  hearers  when 
reading  a  prayer  in  a  style  which  a  school-boy  would  be  corrected 
for  using  ? 

And  can  a  clergyman,  indeed,  become  cold  under  an  office 
of  mediation  between  God  and  man  ?  Can  lie  enter  the  sacred 
desk  unprepared,  stammering,  and  absent,  who  has  to  ^)lead  a 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  97 

cause  high  as  heaven,  wide  as  eternity  ?  I  know  not  but  I 
might,  as  a  fallible  being,  become  chilled  by  repetition  ;  but  I 
feel  that,  were  I  a  man  placed  under  the  wide  responsibility  of 
guiding  souls,  and  choosing  that  sacred  position  in  society,  I 
would  cultivate  every  power  ;  even  external  attractions  should 
not  be  beyond  my  care  ;  I  would  make  pure  eloquence  my 
study,  that  the  voice  God  gave  me  might  call  his  children  to 
know  him  ;  I  would  cultivate  personal  purity  and  grace,  that 
men  might  be  attracted  by  God's  image  ;  I  would  plead  with 
them  as  a  hungry  man  pleads  for  nourishment,  and  pray  with 
them  as  myself  expecting  to  share  their  doom.  I  would  be  in 
genious  in  plans  to  draw  them  to  heaven. 

Our  pastor  was  one  of  whom  it  is  said,  Oh,  he  is  not  a  fine 
preacher,  but  he  is  a  good  man  !  Perverted  term — when  given 
to  one  dragging  a  paralyzed  mind.  The  atmosphere  of  religion 
is  materially  affected  by  these  sleepy  heirs  of  ten  talents,  who 
should  be  working  up  the  whole  to  all  possible  perfection.  Yet 
when,  on  opening  his  sermon,  our  pastor  would  sometimes  find  a 
leaf  of  his  well-tumbled  discourse  missing  ;  when  he  even  mistook 
the  order  of  services  ;  when  an  ill-written  word  was  slurred  over 
with  a  cough,  it  was  still  said,  "  Our  minister  means  well,  he  is 
only  careless."  Careless  !  a  minister  of  the  gospel  careless  ! 
Then  may  Gabriel  be  careless,  as  he  stands  with  veiled  face  to 
receive  the  orders  of  his  king. 

Alas  for  our  poor  little  church.  Prayer  was  offered  up  with 
cold  monotony.  Our  singing  was  reduced  to  the  fine  squeak 
of  an  old  lady,  who  would  utterly  have  failed  but  for  the  aid  of 
a  few  ancient  negroes,  whose  ear  was  more  true  than  hers. 
The  number  of  gentlemen  around  the  church  till  the  commence 
ment  of  the  sermon  was  greater  than  the  occupants  of  the  pews 
within,  and  the  subjects  of  conversation  were  of  the  most  worldly 
nature.  It  seemed  to  ine  that  old  Mr.  Guildstreet  always  kept 

5 


98  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

his  best  joke  for  the  last,  and  its  effects  were  seen  on  the  par 
tially-composed  features  of  the  gentlemen  as  they  entered,  just 
before  the  giving  out  of  the  text.  John  once  asked  a  searching 
question — "  Papa,  are  the  church  prayers  only  made  for  ladies 
and  children  ?" 

"  Oh,  no,  my  son,"  said  papa,  and  I  saw  a  reverential  shade 
of  thought  steal  over  his  brow ;  "  men  feel  the  need  of  prayer." 

There  was  probably  more  excuse  for  these  worldly  discus 
sions  at  our  country  church  than  elsewhere.  Good  friends  were 
parted  for  a  long  summer,  and  amid  winter  business  met  but 
seldom.  Tying  their  horses  under  a  sheltering  tree,  they  began 
with  the  compliments  of  the  day ;  then  followed  an  inevitable 
comparison  of  the  state  of  crops,  then  a  discussion  of  public 
news,  and  he  was  the  most  sought  who  had  seen  the  last  news 
paper  ;  again  the  great  agricultural  interests  of  the  country 
were  brought  forward,  until  every  man  approached  nearer  his 
neighbor's  button,  when  the  last  strain  of  the  hymn  reminded 
them  that  something  else  was  going  on,  and  they  entered  with 
whispering  answers  or  remarks  almost  on  the  floor  of  God's 
temple.  The  deportment  of  the  ladies  was  generally  different. 
They  preserved  a  serious  air  on  entering  church  and  through 
out  the  service.  After  the  blessing  was  pronounced  began  their 
exchange.  I  do  not  speak  of  this  in  blame.  It  is  a  part  of 
the  social  intercourse  of  Southern  life,  necessarily  arising  from 
our  widely-separated  estates  ;  it  preserves  us  from  coldness,  and 
I  am  glad  of  an  opportunity  of  stating  this,  as  strangers  have 
frequently  complained  of  our  habit  of  conversing  after  church. 
Ladies  from  the  Northern  States  bow  almost  with  solemnity  to 
a  near  neighbor,  and  retire,  while  Southern  ones,  with  a  cordial 
shake  of  the  hand,  testify  their  pleasure  at  the  interview.  I 
have  sometimes  said  to  myself  in  a  New-England  church,  Can 
these  Christians  love  one  another?  So  different  are  the  im- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  99 

pressions  produced  on  the  two  parties,  that  we  here  think  it 
cold-hearted  not  to  greet  each  other  with  expressions  of  cordial 
interest. 

I  cannot  well  extend  the  same  excuse  to  the  gentlemen,  who 
encroached,  at  the  period  of  which  I  am  speaking,  on  the  short 
hour  of  religious  service ;  they  may  meet  often  or  earlier ;  and 
even  when  the  pressure  of  pecuniary  or  political  interests  calls 
for  communication  on  the  Sabbath,  let  them  pause  when  those 
services  commence,  which,  if  worth  anything  at  all,  are  worth 
ten  minutes  of  preparatory  prayer. 

Such  was  our  country  church ;  but  a  brighter  chapter  remains 
to  be  unfolded ;  prayers  soon  arose,  on  which  the  young  wing 
of  devotion  poised  itself  for  heaven ;  hymns  where  the  music  of 
the  heart  and  voice  struggled  in  harmony ;  and  exhortations, 
which,  while  they  warned  us  of  the  consequences  of  neglect, 
taught  us  our  glorious  destination,  and  bade  us  faithfully  pre 
pare  for  it. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE     STRANGER. 

"  Let  not  those 

Whose  homes  are  bright  with  sunshine  and  with  love, 
Put  on  the  insolence  of  happiness, 
Glorying  in  their  proud  lot ;  a  lonely  hour 
Is  on  its  way  to  each,  to  all."  • 

MRS.  HKMANS'  Siege  of  Valencia. 

IN  January  I  was  to  leave  my  country  home  for  the  city ;  my 
beautiful  home,  which  rose  in  solitude  like  a  white  bird  amid  the 
green  forests.  Papa  was  at  infinite  pains  to  justify  the  name 
of  Roseland.  It  was  his  delight  to  bring  strangers  from  the 
town  to  visit  us ;  and,  without  describing  the  place,  drive  them 
through  the  pine  woods ;  then  enter  the  avenue  where  the  Cher 
okee  hedge  shut  out  the  view ;  then,  by  a  sudden  turn,  bring 
Roseland  before  them  ;  and  here  Thomson  might  have  perceived, 
at  midwinter,  perhaps  with  more  truth  than  in  an  English 

spring, 

"A  shower  of  roses  on  our  plains  descend." 

They  formed  a  carpet  beneath,  bowers  above ;  the  most  common 
hedge  and  fence  was  enlivened  by  them ;  and  in  a  sunny  winter 
morning  there  was  a  bright,  airy  freshness  about  their  pink 
leaves,  for  frost  gives  additional  vigor  to  this  lovely  flower,  and 
deepens  its  hue.  Mamma  and  I  kept  up  the  character  of  the 
place  within  doors.  Vases  of  roses  were  placed  in  the  bed 
rooms,  and  a  few  strewn  over  the  pillows  of  strangers. 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  A  SOUTHERN  MA'IKON.        101 

A  little  sentimentality  lingered  in  my  heart  connected  with 
Lewis ;  but  it  will  easily  be  discerned  that  my  preference  for 
him  had  arisen  rather  from  the  sympathy  of  youthful  tastes, 
than  that  deep-rooted  feeling  which  outlasts  change  and  absence. 
I  learned  by  letters  to  our  friends  at  the  Elms  that  he  too  was 
undergoing  the  same  curative  process,  and  regaining  his  heart's 
freedom  ;  and  let  not  my  romantic  readers  be  shocked,  but  think 
whether  the  actual  experience  of  life  does  not  agree  with  these 
fluctuating  impressions  of  early  youth. 

My  brothers  had  entered  college,  and  papa  was  visiting  his 
planting  interest  on  Edisto,  when  mamma  and  I  were  aroused 
one  evening,  from  a  game  of  chess,  by  the  cry  of  fire.  This 
sound,  so  dreadful  in  a  populous  place,  is  fearfully  appalling  in 
the  country,  where  the  willing  though  inexperienced  negroes  are 
our  only  assistants.  We  rushed  to  the  piazza  door,  and  strained 
our  eyes  through  the  darkness.  Nothing  was  to  be  seen  but 
the  graceful  wave  of  the  trees,  and  the  stars  looking  down  in 
their  nightly  walks  above ;  but  soon  the  glossy  branches  of  an 
orange-tree  shone  with  a  sudden  glare,  and  the  flame  burst  from 
the  servants'  hall,  a  room  on  the  back  piazza. 

The  people  came  running  from  their  houses  in  every  direc 
tion.  Their  first  thought  was  of  our  children ;  mamma  had 
already  darted  to  their  rooms,  and  they  came  around  us  wring 
ing  their  hands  in  sudden  fright  and  wonder  at  the  scene. 
With  a  kind  of  instinct,  we  rescued  papa's  papers  and  valuables, 
aided  by  the  servants,  some  of  them  showing  a  presence  of  mind 
which  seems  to  belong  more  to  character  than  station ;  most  of 
them,  however,  being  paralyzed  by  fright. 

The  back  part  of  the  building  was  now  entirely  in  flames  ; 
they  rushed  like  devouring  monsters,  and  mamma  and  I  re 
treated  from  the  increasing  heat. 

A  sudden  thought  struck  me.     The  portraits  of  my  grandpa- 


102  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

rents  had  not  been  preserved ;  and  it  seemed  to  me  as  if  dear 
friends  were  consuming. 

"  Oh,  Hector,"  I  cried  to  the  driver,  "  you  know  where  the 
large  pictures  are  in  the  hall ;  the  beams  have  caught  at  the 
piazza  door,  but  you  can  force  the  windows — save  them,  my 
good  fellows,  for  your  master's  sake." 

"  Ay,  ay,"  shouted  the  men,  "  we  fetch  ole  maussa  and  ole 
missis.  Don't  cry,  Miss  Neely,"  and  they  hurried  through  the 
piazza. 

How  many  reflections  crowded  through  my  mind  as  they  dis 
appeared  !  My  youthful  sports ;  the  hours  I  had  passed  with 
Charles  Duncan ;  my  parting  with  Lewis ;  my  father's  fond  at 
tachment  to  this  residence  ;  my  brother's  grief;  all  rose  in  rapid 
succession. 

At  this  moment  a  horseman  rode  up  the  avenue  at  full  speed, 
attended  by  a  servant.  He  saw  our  group  by  the  flames,  and. 
leaping  on  the  ground,  offered  his  assistance.  Mamma  was  en 
gaged  in  soothing  the  children,  and  I,  looking  at  the  building, 
shook  my  head  in  hopelessness,  as  the  ruin  spread  far  and  wide. 
A  moving  object  arrested  my  attention,  waving  its  arms  at  an 
upper  window  illuminated  by  the  flames ;  and,  as  a  portion  of 
the  roof  fell  with  a  crash,  I  fancied  I  heard  a  scream.  Dark 
ness  settled  for  a  moment  over  the  building ;  and  then  a  fresh 
light  looming  up  revealed  the  figure  again.  It  was  old  Nanny, 
Jacque's  sister.  It  seemed  to  me  like  a  nightmare,  as  she  stood 
tossing  her  thin  arms  wildly  in  the  flames,  her  dark  form  in 
contrast  with  the  lurid  light.  A  momentary  faintness  came 
over  me  at  the  thought  of  a  fellow-creature  perishing  thus  be 
fore  my  gaze.  It  passed  away,  and  I  felt  a  frantic  desire  for 
her  safety.  "  I  can  go,"  I  cried — "  I  know  the  passage  ;  one 
way  yet  remains.  For  Heaven's  sake,  let  me  go.  I  will  perish 
rather  than  see  her  die  " 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  103 

"  I  will  save  her,"  said  the  stranger,  in  a  voice  whose  low, 
equal  tones  came  with  a  singular  power  over  my  feelings.  "  Ex 
plain  to  me  in  a  few  words  the  situation  of  the  apartment."  I 
did  so. 

"  Ned,  give  me  the  hatchet  and  follow,"  said  he  to  his  ser 
vant. 

As  he  departed,  Hector  and  the  men  arrived  with  the  por 
traits.  They  seemed  a  presage  of  good.  I  kissed  the  inani 
mate  faces  as  if  they  could  recognize  my  tenderness ;  and  it 
seemed  to  me  that,  with  a  pitying  melancholy,  their  eyes  were 
turned  to  the  ruin  of  their  early  love. 

But  for  a  moment,  however,  could  I  dwell  on  them.  Life, 
human  life,  is  the  fibre  running  through  God's  creation  with  su 
preme  power  ;  that  poor,  struggling  being,  tottering  on  the  edge 
of  natural  decay,  without  ties  of  consanguinity — my  father's 
slave — that  helpless  being  was  more  to  me  at  that  moment  than 
worlds  at  my  feet.  She  was  human,  and  she  lived.  The 
stranger  had 'disappeared,  but  there  she  stood,  her  shrivelled 
form  expanded  with  terror,  her  dim  eyes  dilated,  and  her  broken 
voice  uttering  the  piercing  shriek  of  desperate  agony.  In  my 
dreams  I  sometimes  see  that  figure  still. 

My  brain  whirled  with  intense  expectation.  I  heard  another 
crash  of  falling  timbers,  and  she  was  gone  !  I  hid  my  face  in 
horror,  but  a  voice,  the  calm  voice  of  the  stranger,  thrilling  and 
elevated  with  emotion,  was  heard,  "  Safe,  safe,  by  Heaven ! 
Forward,  Ned !"  and  they  appeared  bearing  the  exhausted  form 
of  the  old  woman,  and  laid  her  on  the  bank  where  we  stood. 

The  eyes  of  the  portraits  seemed  now  turned  on  their  rescued 
old  attendant,  and  opening  lier  own,  a  wild  expression  crossed 
them,  as  she  encountered  those  familiar  faces  of  manly  and 
feminine  beauty.  She  rose  slowly  from  the  bank,  then  made  a 
low  obeisance  before  them,  and,  turning  to  the  burning  building 


104  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

from  which  she  had  been  borne,  fell  on  her  knees  in  prayer 
and  wept. 

And  my  beautiful  home  was  a  ruin  !  The  flames  leaped  from 
point  to  point  like  fiery  serpents ;  the  wide  amphitheatre  of 
woods  was  tinged  with  the  glow  ;  the  Ashley  mirrored  the  flam 
ing  pile ;  and  the  stars  seemed  to  shrink  far  back  in  their  dark 
ened  concave.  All  now  was  as  a  dream  to  me ;  true,  I  heard 
the  stranger's  quiet  tones  giving  directions  suited  to  the  emer 
gency,  and  I  felt  that  a  form  of  no  common  elegance,  and  a  face 
of  sweet  and  serene  expression  was  near.  I  heard  mamma's 
soothing  voice  addressing  the  servants  and  children,  and  my 
baby-sister's  joyful  shout  in  her  nurse's  arms,  at  the  brilliant 
toy  of  her  burning  home ;  but  nay  thoughts  were  all  garnered 
up  in  that  one  image,  the  scene  of  my  childhood.  I  was  arous 
ed  by  the  arrival  of  our  friends  from  the  Elms,  with  offers  of 
assistance.  Amid  their  sympathy  and  congratulations  at  our 
escape,  the  stranger  rode  unthanked  away. 

How  often  afterward  did  I  gaze  through  crowds  in  the  hope 
of  being  recognized  by  him,  offering  those  thanks  that  lay  like 
a  hidden  treasure,  kept  for  him  in  the  depths  of  my  soul ! 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

NEGRO    SUPERSTITIONS. 
Tlie  New  Preac/ier. 

"  Late,  late  yestreen  I  saw  the  new  raoone, 

Wi'  the  auld  moone  in  hir  arme ; 
And  I  feir,  I  feir,  my  dier  master, 
That  you  will  com  to  harme." 

SIR  PATRICK  SPKNCE.— OW  Ballad. 

"  Oh,  sweeter  than  the  marriage-feast, 

'Tis  sweeter  far  to  mo, 
To  walk  together  to  the  kirk 
With  a  goodly  company ! 

To  walk  together  to  the  kirk, 

And  all  together  pray, 
While  each  to  his  great  Father  bends, 
Old  men,  and  babes,  and  loving  friends, 

And  youths  and  maidens  gay !" 

The  Rime  of  the  Ancient  Mariner. 

MISFORTUNE  is  not  required  to  develop  kind  neighborhood  at 
the  South.  A  system  of  attentions  is  going  on  in  prosperity  so 
tranquilly,  that,  when  adverse  circumstances  befall  one,  no  sur 
prise  is  excited  at  a  great  benefit.  Not  a  day  had  passed  for 
years  without  some  friendly  act  between  the  Elms  and  Rose- 
land.  The  question  was  not  asked,  Have  they  this  preserve,  or 
that  flower?  would  they  like  to  read  this  book,  or  copy  that 
pattern  ?  But  the  preserve  or  the  flower,  the  book  or  the  pat 
tern,  were  sent  as  testimonials  of  good-will.  Remembrance  was 
our  simple  watchword. 

The  Elms  was  to  us  now  as  another  home.  Lewis's  tempo 
s'* 


106  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

rary  estrangement  had  caused  no  coldness,  for  we  had  so  long 
regarded  each  other  in  our  sports  and  quarrels  as  children,  that 
we  were  still  thought  of  in  the  same  light  by  our  respective 
families. 

On  the  evening  after  the  burning  of  Roseland,  brother  Ben 
and  I  visited  the  ruins.  The  sun  had  not  set,  and  the  laborers, 
retiring  from  their  tasks,  stopped  to  speak  to  me.  We  soon 
formed  a  group  by  the  still  smoking  walls ;  while  a  shake  of  the 
head,  or  an  ejaculation  with  upraised  eye,  testified  their  sympa 
thy  with  me,  and  their  acknowledgment  of  the  Power  who  holds 
the  elements  in  his  hand. 

I  must  ask  indulgence  of  general  readers  for  mingling  so 
much  of  the  peculiarities  of  negroes  with  my  details.  Sur 
rounded  with  them  from  infancy,  they  form  a  part  of  the  land 
scape  of  a  Southern  woman's  life ;  take  them  away,  and  the 
picture  would  lose  half  its  reality.  They  watch  our  cradles  ;  they 
are  the  companions  of  our  sports  ;  it  is  they  who  aid  our  bridal 
decorations,  and  they  wrap  us  in  our  shrouds. 

"  Miss  Neely,"  said  the  driver,  approaching  me  with  an  air  of 
solemnity,  "  you  been  hear  sister  Nelly  dream  ?" 

"  No,  Hector,"  I  answered ;  "  what  was  it  ?" 

"  He  berry  awful  for  true,"  said  Hector,  and  his  voice  fell  to 
the  key  of  mystery.  "  When  sister  Nelly  put  Maus  Ben  to  bed 
de  night  o'  de  fire,  Maus  Ben  ax  'em  for  sing  one  hymn  for  'em. 
cause  lie  eye  clean;*  den  sister  Nelly  begin  for  sing  till  Maus 
Ben  and  him  fell  asleep,  all  tivo.\  Den  sister  Nelly  dream  dat 
de  devil  was  stand  on  de  edge  o'  de  big  hominy-pot,  and  stir  de 
hominy  wid  he  pitchfork ;  and  while  he  stir  de  hominy,  and  sis 
ter  Nelly  right  scare,  he  stare  at  she  wid  he  red  eye  like  fire, 
and  he  wisk  he  tail,  and  fire  run  roun  he  tail  like  it  run  roun 
one  dry  pine-tree." 

*  Watchful.  t  Both. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  10* 

Hector  had  scarcely  concluded  when  an  old  woman  claimed 
my  attention.  She  had  been  sitting  on  a  charred  log,  her  hoc 
laid  by  her  side,  her  elbows  resting  on  her  knees,  and  her  body 
rocking  to  and  fro ;  but,  when  Hector  paused  she  stood  up.  and, 
courtesying  with  a  very  dismal  tone  and  seesaw  motion,  said — 

"  He  no  for  netting,  my  young  missis,  dat  one  screech-owl 
been  screech  on  de  oak  by  Dinah  house  tree  night  last  week. 
When  he  didn't  done  screech,  Plato  took  one  lightwood  torch, 
and  light  'em,  and  fling  'em  into  de  tree,  and  den  he  gone.  We 
all  say  something  gwine  happen  !" 

"  Miss  Neely,"  said  a  lad,  bustling  up  with  great  importance, 
"  if  dat  dog  Growler"  (pointing  to  him)  "  an't  got  sense  !  All 
night  before  de  fire  he  been  creep  roun  and  roun  wid  he  tail  be 
tween  he  leg,  and  look  up  to  maussa  house,  and  gie  such  a 
howl,  ki !  how  he  howl !  and  I  say  to  marmy,  i  Someting  bad 
gwine  for  happen,  marmy,  sure  !'  " 

As  the  boy  spoke,  I  observed  the  hair  on  the  crown  of  his 
head  tied  closely  up  to  a  piece  of  stick  an  inch  long,  so  that  his 
mouth  and  eyes  stood  almost  ajar. 

"  Why  is  your  hair  tied  so  tight,  Bob?"  said  I;  "it  makes 
your  eyes  stare." 

His  mother,  who  was  near,  came  up  and  answered  for  him. 

"  Him  palate  down,  Miss  Neely.  He  catch  one  cold  at  de 
fire,  and  I  been  tie  he  hair  up  for  fetch  up  he  palate.  Make 
your  manners  to  Miss  Neely,  Bobby,  son." 

The  communication  of  the  negroes  was  interrupted,  for  papa 
was  discovered  coming  up  the  avenue.  I  hastened  to  meet  him ; 
a  look  of  apprehension  wrought  on  his  features,  as,  alighting, 
and  glancing  at  the  ruins,  he  pressed  forward  with  a  struggling 
whisper — "  Your  mother  ? — the  children  ?" 

"  Safe,  papa,  all  safe  !" 

"  God  be  thanked  !"  he  exclaimed ;  and.  leaning  against  the 


108  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

fence,  he  shaded  his  eyes  with  his  hands.  I  did  not  interrupt 
him.  His  strong  and  ardent  mind  was  realizing  its  dependence. 
God  was  receiving  the  tribute  which,  sooner  or  later,  awaits  his 
power  from  every  heart. 

When  he  raised  his  head,  tears  were  in  his  eyes.  He  took 
me  fondly  in  his  arms,  kissed  me  again  and  again,  called  me 
his  own,  his  blessed  one,  and  then  proceeded  with  me  to  the 
ruin.  The  sun  was  throwing  his  last  bright  rays  over  the  black 
ened  walls ;  to  some  it  might  have  seemed  in  mockery  of  the 
desolation ;  but  as  they  fell  on  papa's  face,  lighting  up  its  look 
of  tenderness  and  gratitude,  I  felt  as  if  Nature  was  welcoming 
him  still. 

"  Hector,"  said  papa,  extending  his  hand  to  him,  after  I  had 
rapidly  sketched  the  events  of  the  conflagration,  "  Cornelia  tells 
me  you  were  a  brave  fellow.  I  must  reward  you  for  saving  the 
portraits." 

"  Ay,  ay,  maussa,"  said  Hector  respectfully  touching  his  hat, 
"  bless  God  for  all  his  mercy.  Please  de  Lord,  while  nigger 
have  hand  for  work,  ole  maussa  and  ole  missis  an't  gwine  for 
burn  up." 

The  next  morning  was  the  Sabbath,  and  we  prepared  for 
church.  Accidental  circumstances  had  prevented  my  attending 
for  several  Sundays ;  and  though  I  had  heard  of  a  change  in 
our  preaching,  I  had  not  given  much  thought  to  the  subject. 
Service  had  commenced  on  our  arrival,  and  I  perceived  no  scat 
tered  individuals,  as  usual,  outside.  Even  Mr.  Guildstreet  had 
retired.  On  entering  the  church,  I  heard  some  one  reading  the 
liturgy  in  tones  of  singular  sensibility.  He  seemed  pleading 
for  some  good  which  earth  could  not  bestow.  An  attitude  of 
devotion  prevailed  throughout  the  congregation ;  and,  for  the 
first  time,  excited  by  gratitude  and  kindled  by  sympathy,  my 
heart  went  up  fully  with  public  prayer.  But  my  devotional 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  109 

thoughts  were  suddenly  startled  by  a  voice  in  the  pew  behind 
me,  repeating  the  responses ;  it  was  low,  but  I  could  not  mis 
take  it.  I  had  heard  it  under  circumstances  too  exciting  to  be 
lost  to  my  memory.  It  was  the  voice  of  the  daring,  generous 
stranger.  I  should  have  recognized  it  amid  a  multitude 
"Now  !"  thought  I,  with  a  glow  all  about  my  heart,  "  I  shall 
have  an  opportunity  to  thank  him !"  but  not  for  worlds  could  I 
have  turned  towards  him. 

A  hymn  was  given  out,  and  I  was  recalled  to  my  higher  du 
ties.  There  was  a  pause  of  a  moment,  until  a  sweet  female 
voice  commenced  the  tune,  trembling,  but  with  true  harmony. 
Like  a  leading  bird,  it  fluttered  a  while  alone ;  then  came  gath 
ering  voices,  sustaining  and  surrounding  its  upward  flight,  until 
the  church  was  filled  with  melody. 

The  concert  of  our  lips  ceased,  but  we  felt  a  sacred  joy  in 
the  depths  of  our  souls.  The  speaker  arose  to  read  from  Scrip 
ture.  Was  it  really  the  same  volume  to  which  I  had  been  so 
often  a  weary  listener  ?  There  was  life  in  every  word  ;  and,  as 
I  saw  the  speaker  turn  his  eyes  on  me,  on  me,  I  felt  a  new  and 
living  interest.  Why  is  that  expressive  organ  so  often  denied 
its  legitimate  power  in  the  pulpit  1  One  glance  which  says, 
"  I  am  addressing  you,  you  are  the  being  to  whom  God  sends 
his  message,"  makes  doubly  touching  an  illustrated  truth. 

Again  the  congregation  united  in  petition  and  praise,  and  the 
preacher  began  his  discourse  with  animated  solemnity.  His 
voice  would  have  been  too  powerful  had  it  not  been  for  the  va 
riation  of  its  cadence ;  and  his  manner  might  have  been  thought 
overwrought,  had  not  a  native  modesty,  a  face  of  most  benig 
nant  expression,  and  a  simplicity  of  style  fitted  to  the  unlearned 
by  its  clearness,  softened  their  enthusiasm.  It  was  not  the 
gathered  inhabitants  of  a  few  plantations  he  seemed  addressing  ; 
one  would  have  thought,  from  his  earnestness,  that  the  world 


110  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

was  his  audience.  He  stood  soul  to  soul  with  his  hearers,  and 
rested  not  until  he  felt  his  victory. 

I  had  forgotten  the  stranger  while  my  heart  was  struggling 
with  this  thought,  <•  What  shall  /  do  to  be  saved  ?"  Holy  res 
olutions  were  bursting  like  unsealed  fountains  within  me  :  and, 
with  a  gush  of  joy,  I  raised  in  that  sanctuary  a  new  altar,  and 
wrote  upon  it,  Holiness  to  the  Lord ! 

But  man  was  made  for  mingled  sympathies ;  inspiring  and 
lovely  as  these  were,  they  were  soon  interrupted.  Who  has 
not  felt  the  power  of  the  ocean,  leaping  in  its  giant  might,  and 
been  touched  by  all  that  is  beautiful  and  bright  in  the  sunshine 
on  its  waters,  and  fancied  a  living  language  in  the  clouds  rising 
and  rolling  like  another  sea  above  ?  Yet,  in  this  princely  dis 
play  of  Nature,  when  the  mind  seems  not  to  belong  to  earth,  let 
a  little  skiff  approach  on  that  broad  expanse,  with  one  human 
being,  and  a  train  of  associations  come  rushing  around  him,  con 
centrating  themselves  in  him,  and  the  vast  and  beautiful  are  for 
a  time  forgotten.  Thus  were  my  thoughts  won  back  to  earth, 
when  the  voice  of  the  stranger  in  the  closing  hymn  sounded  on 
my  ear,  and  my  grateful  heart  again  began  to  frame  words  ex 
pressive  of  its  feelings.  The  service  was  concluded,  and  I 
turned,  modestly  struggling  with  enthusiasm.  There  he  stood, 
calm  and  graceful,  the  same  !  I  felt  a  glow  rush  over  my  face, 
my  eyes  met  his  fully,  and  I  was  about  to  address  him,  when  a 
glance  told  me  that  /  was  not  recognized !  I  shrank  back  with 
a  sense  of  mortification  even  painful,  as,  with  a  bow  of  graceful 
acknowledgment  to  the  occupants  of  the  pew,  he  quietly  retired. 

"  Who  is  that  ?"  at  length  said  I,  in  a  whisper  to  Bell  Wilson, 
my  neighbor,  as  he  disappeared. 

"  I  cannot  say,  Cornelia,"  was  her  reply.  "  Papa  saw  a 
stranger  at  the  porch,  and  asked  him  to  our  pew.  He  is  a 
handsome  follow !" 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  Ill 


I  did  not  join  in  her  admiration.  I  was  offended,  I  knew 
not  why ;  and  went  pouting  into  the  chair  with  papa  with  an 
air  of  uncommon  dignity. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE  STRANGER.— COUNTRY  CHRISTMAS.— MORTIFICATIONS. 

"  The  household  stir 
Warned  me  to  rise — 
A  stir  unusual,  and  accompanied 
With  many  a  tuning  of  rude  instruments." 

ROGERS'  Italy. 

"  'Tis  merry,  'tis  merry,  in  good  green  wood 

So  blithe  Lady  Alice  is  singing, 
On  the  beech's  pride  and  oak's  brown  side 
Lord  Richard's  axe  is  ringing." 

SIR  WALTER  SCOTT. 

MY  frowns  were  quite  unnoticed  by  papa,  who  solaced  him 
self  for  my  silence  by  singing  St.  Martin's.  This  is  one  joy  of 
the  woods ;  freedom  to  sing  or  shout  in  the  overflow  of  feeling. 
or  even  in  the  glory  of  vacuity.  It  was  not  for  me  at  my  age 
to  muse  long;  my  head  was  too  full  of  the  young  hero. 

"  Papa,"  said  I,  "  did  you  see  that  stranger  at  church  ?" 

"  Yes,  my  love,"  he  answered,  resuming  an  interrupted  strain 
of  St.  Martin's. 

"  Did  you  not  think  him  handsome  ?"  said  I,  pulling  an  over 
hanging  branch  of  bay-tree  as  we  passed  it. 

"  I  can't  say  I  did,"  replied  he. 

"  Oh  papa  !  But  you  will  acknowledge  that  he  has  a  very 
refined  and  noble  air,"  said  I,  with  earnestness. 

"  You  must  be  in  love  with  him,  Cornelia,"  said  papa,  "  for 
love  is  blind,  they  say  ;  that  is  the  only  excuse  I  can  make  for 
your  thinking  him  noble-looking  and  all  that." 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  113 

"  In  love,  papa  !"  said  I,  blushing  to  the  eyes,  "  with  a  per 
son  I  never  saw  but  once  ?"  and  I  twisted  one  of  the  bay-leaves 
into  twenty  pieces.  After  a  pause.  I  rallied  my  forces  for  an 
other  attack. 

"  Did  you  observe  how  peculiarly  glossy  and  clustering  his 
hair  was  ?" 

"  I  observed  that  he  had  a  long  queue,"  said  papa,  laughing. 

A  girl  of  sixteen  cannot  bear  a  joke.  I  drew  up  in  a  very 
dignified  style  for  two  minutes,  and  meant  to  be  silent,  but  my 
thoughts  came  to  the  end  of  my  tongue  again. 

"  I  suppose,  papa,"  said  I  (rather  tartly),  "  that  you  do  not 
even  think  his  eyes  good  looking  ?" 

"  My  child,"  answered  he,  peeping  under  my  bonnet,  "  what 
are  you  talking  about  ?  His  eyes  are  as  rheumy  as  an  old 
woman's." 

This  was  more  than  I  could  bear.  I  had  intended  to  have 
told  papa  who  he  was,  after  having  heard,  as  I  expected,  some 
volunteer  admiration  of  his  appearance  ;  I  only  said,  pettishly, 
"  I  wish,  at  least,  I  could  learn  his  name." 

"  His  name  ?"  said  papa.  "  It  is  Gribb,  Silas  Gribb,  of  the 
firm  of  Gribb  and  Kendall.  I  intend  to  negotiate  with  him 
as  my  factor,  and  Mr.  Barnwell  has  asked  him  to  dine  with  us 


My  romance  was  cut  up  by  the  roots.  As  for  falling  in  love 
with  Mr.  Silas  Gribb,  it  was  out  of  the  question  ;  nevertheless, 
my  heart  beat  at  the  thought  of  an  interview  ;  and  by  the  time 
I  reached  the  Elms  I  flew  to  my  apartment,  spouting  with  Ju 
liet,  "  what's  in  a  name  ?"  adjusted  "  each  particular  hair," 
placed  a  japonica  of  priceless  worth  in  my  waving  curls,  delib 
erated  which  would  suit  best  my  excited  complexion,  peach- 
bloom  or  celestial  blue,  gave  a  lingering  look  of  satisfied  vanity 
at  my  glass,  decided  on  pale  yellow,  and  descended  to  the  din- 


114  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

ing-room,  busying  myself  with  rolling  up  the  edge  of  my 
pocket-handkerchief  with  my  thumb  and  finger,  and  trotting 
my  feet  after  I  was  seated  as  if  they  were  urging  a  spinning- 
wheel. 

I  could  not  forgive  papa  immediately  for  his  badinage,  and 
did  not  approach  near  enough  to  hear  his  conversation  with 
Mr.  JJarnwell,  in  which  the  name  of  Gribb  seemed  the  key 
note,  and  harshly,  I  confess,  with  all  its  sweet  associations,  it 
sounded. 

At  length  a  vehicle  was  seen  rolling  along  the  avenue,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  Mr.  Gribb  was  announced.  I  gave  an  uncon 
trollable  jump  of  astonishment  as  I  saw  in  him  a  stout,  square 
man  of  forty,  with  rheumy  eyes,  as  papa  had  said,  and  a  queue 
that,  as  he  moved  his  head,  stuck  out  every  way  like  the  spear 
of  Milton's  angel  guarding  paradise.  My  first  impulse  was  to 
pull  out  the  green-house  japonica  from  my  hair,  arid  preserve  it 
in  a  glass  of  water. 

As  papa  had  evidently  not  seen  my  stranger,  I  forgave  him 
for  his  unintentional  jests,  while  at  the  same  time  an  awkward 
consciousness  prevented  my  returning  to  the  subject  again. 

And  now  arrived  Christmas  eve.  It  would  have  stimulated 
a  manufacturer  to  see  the  rows  of  stockings,  of  all  sizes  and 
lines,  that  were  hung  in  the  capacious  corners  at  the  Elms,  to 
receivethc  tribute  of  St.  Nicholas.  Long  did  the  children  do- 
lay,  speculating  on  their  probable  contents  for  the  morrow  ; 
then  bid  us  good-night,  in  order  to  awake  early  ;  then  return  to 
adjust  them  more  conveniently  ;  and  then,  weary  of  speculating, 
retire. 

Who  does  not  remember  his  youthful  Christinas  ;  the  reiter 
ated  charge  to  his  maumer  to  awake  him  Jirst ;  the  scramble 
to  dress  in  the  dim  morning  twilight ;  the  rush  through  the  en 
tries  to  the  respective  sleeping-rooms,  ending  with  the  merry 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  116 

shout  ?  Those  movements  are  alike  in  all  children,  but  the 
mode  of  approaching  the  stocking  varies  according  to  the  char 
acter  of  the  individual :  some  dart  upon  it  with  eagerness,  give 
a  rapid  survey  of  the  contents,  and  swallow  the  boHfans  selfishly  ; 
others  examine  deliberately,  and  lay  a  plan  of  arrangement  and 
distribution,  thus  shadowing  forth  the  principles  and  habits  ot 
after-years. 

The  family  at  the  Kims  were  effectually  roused  even  before 
the  shouts  of  the  children  had  been  heard.  From  time  im 
memorial,  a  small  field-piece  had  been  kept  solely  for  Christ 
mas  ;  and  it  was  the  privilege  of  their  negroes  (for  there  is 
some  little  peculiarity  on  every  plantation)  to  place  this  can 
non  in  the  piazza  of  the  dwelling-house,  and  tire  it  at  early 
dawn.  Mighty  were  the  shoutings  that  followed  this  martial 
detonation. 

The  people  at  Roseland  had  no  cannon  ;  but,  as  a  substitute, 
they  commenced  a  salute  with  the  combination  of  every  noise 
they  could  make  by  the  agency  of  tin  and  brass,  aiding  their 
rude  music.  One  set  of  people  would  have  been  sufficient  to 
drive  Morpheus  in  a  panic  from  our  pillows ;  but  from  both 
plantations  united,  the  clamor  was  prodigious. 

Dancing  commenced  in  the  piazza  and  on  the  lawn  soon  after 
the  firing  of  the  cannon,  nor  was  it  suspended  a  moment  by  the 
presence  of  the  whites. 

Mamma  and  I  and  our  friends  had  been  busy  the  day  pre 
vious  in  cutting  the  turban-handkerchiefs,  and  arranging  the 
woollen  caps  and  other  articles  which  were  to  be  presented. 

After  breakfast  the  people  withdrew  from  the  piazza,  and  wo 
took  possession  while  they  came  up  in  gangs  to  receive  their 
gifts.  As  we  had  each  several  hundred  to  supply,  (lie  Hani- 
wells  and  ourselves  stood  on  opposite  sides.  The  women  al 
most  universally  twined  their  handkerchiefs  about  their  heads 


116  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

as  soon  as  they  received  them,  with  an  air  of  grace  that  would 
have  surprised  a  stranger.  The  men  flung  up  their  new  wool 
len  caps,  and  stopped  to  make  two  or  three  flourishing  bows, 
while  the  women  dropped  a  courtesy  with  a  pleased  look,  turn 
ing  up  one  eye,  and  showing  their  beautiful  teeth. 

A  few  seemed  to  realize  the  sacredness  of  the  day  even  then  ; 
a  feeling  which  has  greatly  increased  with  the  religious  observ 
ances  and  facilities  of  late  years.  This  prevented  any  violent 
outbreak  of  joy ;  but  on  the  two  succeeding  days  this  restraint 
was  removed,  and  there  were  scarcely  any  bounds  to  the  exu 
berance  of  their  spirits. 

Warm  punch  or  egg-nogg  circulated  freely,  and  at  least  a 
dozen  large  clothes-baskets  of  gingerbread  were  produced  for 
each  plantation.  A  beef  of  their  master's  was  killed,  and  the 
stores  of  weeks  or  months  from  their  own  savings  were  pro 
duced  for  the  occasion. 

The  festival  lasts  three  days,  and  as  no  tasks  are  imposed,  it 
is  a  favorite  time  to  visit  the  neighboring  plantations.  The 
New-Yorkers  on  the  New-year  are  not  more  hospitable  than 
these  light-hearted  communities  on  this  occasion. 

But  the  glory  of  our  country  Christmas  was  Diggory  as  chief 
fiddler.  A  chair  from  the  drawing-room  was  handed  out  for 
him  on  this  occasion,  where  he  sat  like  a  lord  in  the  midst  of 
his  brethren,  flourishing  his  bow,  and  issuing  his  dancing  de 
crees.  Behind  him  stood  a  tall  stout  fellow  beating  a  triangle, 
and  another  drumming  with  two  long  sticks  upon  a  piece  of 
wood.  All  the  musicians  kept  their  own  feet  and  bodies  going 
as  fast  as  the  dancers  themselves.  One  movement  was  very 
peculiar.  A  woman,  standing  in  the  centre  of  a  circle,  com 
menced  with  a  kind  of  shuffle,  in  which  her  body  moved  round 
and  round,  while  her  feet  seemed  scarcely  to  stir  from  their  po 
sition.  She  held  a  handkerchief  before  her,  which  she  occa- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  117 

sionally  twisted  round  her  waist,  head,  or  arms,  but  mostly 
stretched  out  in  front  as  if  to  ward  off  assaults.  After  a  few 
minutes  an  old  black  man  leaped  into  the  circle,  and  knelt  be 
fore  her  with  gestures  of  entreaty ;  the  lady  turned  her  back 
and  danced  off  in  an  opposite  direction.  Hector  started  up  and 
began  dancing  after  her,  holding  out  his  arms  as  if  he  would 
embrace  her,  but  still  keeping  at  a  respectful  distance  ;  again 
he  ventured  to  solicit  her  hand,  but  the  coy  damsel  still  re 
fused.  At  this  crisis  Jim  sprang  forward,  and  his  petitions, 
commenced  in  the  same  manner,  were  more  kindly  listened  to. 
Hector  rushed  from  the  scene,  clinching  his  fist  and  striking 
his  forehead  in  the  true  Kemble  style,  and  the  damsel  spread 
her  handkerchief  before  her  face  as  if  to  hide  the  blushes.  The 
favored  suitor  gave  her  a  salute,  and  a  brisker  measure  succeeded, 
in  which,  one  by  one,  many  others  joined,  until  it  ended  in  a 
kind  of  contra-dance,  and  this  lasted  five  hours. 

Christmas  departed ;  gifts  of  affection  were  exchanged,  and 
there  was  proffered 

"  Many  a  courtesy, 

That  sought  no  recompense,  and  met  with  none, 
But  in  the  swell  of  heart  with  which  it  came." 

The  old  year,  gathering  its  flowing  mantle,  wrought  in  varied 
forms  by  hands  animated  with  joy  or  trembling  with  sorrow, 
swept  off  to  render  its  silent  testimony  to  heaven  of  what  had 
been.  As  I  write  this,  I  recall  the  change  of  age  upon  my  soul. 
In  their  accounts  with  the  Deity,  days  are  now  as  years  were 
then  ;  and  every  sun  as  it  rolls  off  in  setting  splendor,  and  every 
morn  that  wakes  on  the  path  of  duty,  like  a  new  year,  tells  of 
my  nearness  to  the  mysterious  future. 

%  *  *  *  •%  *  * 

The  morning  before  we  left  the  Elms,  I  rode  on  horseback, 
accompanied  by  Jim,  to  bid  farewell  to  my  favorite  haunts.  Jim 


118  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

liked  nothing  better  than  this  service,  for  he  could  then  talk  to 
me  of  the  probable  return  of  his  young  masters  from  college, 
and  indulge  in  speculations  about  them. 

After  riding  several  miles,  I  struck  into  a  by-path  of  a  re 
tired  and  romantic  character,  and  a  musing  mood  came  over 
me.  It  was  a  path  which  Duncan  had  loved.  I  felt  that  of  late 
I  had  forgotten  his  teaching ;  that  I  was  becoming  more  a  vic 
tim  of  feeling,  more  a  being  of  impulse  than  formerly.  Why, 
thought  I,  this  fluctuation  between  religious  and  worldly  hopes  ? 
I  knew  not  then  how  necessary  is  trial  to  character,  and  how 
even  gold  is  comparatively  valueless  until  it  is  purified,  and 
weighed,  and  stamped. 

I  began  to  ask  myself  if  Duncan  would  not  have  been  inter 
ested  in  the  stranger.  I  have  seen  him  but  twice,  thought  I, 
once  as  the  preserver  of  a  helpless  negro,  again  in  the  solemnity 
of  prayer.  Duncan  ivould  have  liked  these  things,  and  a  deli 
cious  serenity  stole  over  my  thoughts,  and  the  heavens  looked 
brighter,  and  my  heart  beat  lightly,  and  my  lips  burst  forth  into 
song. 

I  was  interrupted  by  perceiving  that  a  fence  which  had 
formerly  enclosed  the  land  of  a  neighboring  planter  was  about 
being  removed,  while  laborers  were  working  in  a  ditch  adjoin 
ing. 

"  What  is  going  on  here,  Jim  ?"  said  I. 

"  Ole  Maus  Osborne  dead,"  was  his  answer,  "  and  one  buck- 
ra*  been  com  for  niak  de  bounds  of  de  land." 

As  Jim  said  this  I  myself  perceived  the  due/era.  He  was 
stooping  to  examine  a  landmark,  his  hat  suspended  on  the  stand 
ing  fence,  and  his  servant  near  bearing  a  case  of  tools.  He  was 
habited  in  a  round  jacket  of  workman's  shape,  adapted  to  dis 
play  a  graceful  figure,  and  of  that  cut  and  quality  which  betrays 
*  White  man. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  119 

to  the  most  casual  observer  that  a  view  has  been  kept  to  ap 
pearances  even  in  this  simple  costume.  He  held  an  axe  thrown 
over  one  shoulder,  in  the  other  hand  a  rule.  It  did  not  take 
many  minutes  to  inform  my  heart  who  he  was  ;  with  a  sense  of 
agitation  perfectly  uncontrollable,  I  jerked  the  reins  in  a  man 
ner  to  which  Jenny,  my  brother's  mare,  was  not  accustomed.  She 
turned,  and  sprang,  and,  before  I  could  recover  myself,  I  was 
thrown  into  the  ditch  face  downward. 

Hope  not  for  romance,  gentle  reader,  but  imagine  me  scramb 
ling  in  the  wet  slippery  clay,  grasping  handfuls  of  mud.  I  soon 
felt  a  strong  but  gentle  arm  aiding  Jim  in  my  release,  who 
cried, 

"Don't  be  scare,  young  missis,  tan't  nottin  hurtful.  Help 
hoist  she  up  dis  way,  maussa." 

Chagrined  beyond  expression,  I  could  only  mumble  through 
a  mouthful  of  mud,  ';  Thank  you,  sir,"  as  I  was  placed  on 
Jenny  by  the  stranger.  Jenny,  the  brute,  who  had  been 
checked  in  her  flight,  looked  the  picture  of  unconcern  at  my 
predicament. 

It  seemed  my  duty  to  give  one  parting  bow  to  the  stranger. 
Glowing  with  exercise,  the  winds  waving  his  rich  hair,  he  stood 
erect,  the  image  of  manly  beauty  ;  but,  while  he  bowed,  a  smile, 
which  I  fancied  to  be  partly  comical,  played  on  his  lips,  awaken 
ing  in  my  thoughts  the  apprehension  of  what  might  be  my  ap 
pearance.  Stung  again  with  renewed  mortification,  I  lent  Jen 
ny  the  reins  and  cantered  towards  home.  I  could  not  resist 
stopping,  however,  to  ask  Jim  how  my  face  looked. 

"  He  berry  dirty,  for  true,  Miss  Neely,"  said  he,  with  a  sym 
pathizing  tone.  "  He  tak  plenty  of  soap  and  water  for  clean 
'em." 

Fortunately,  I  encountered  no  one ;  but,  in  passing  the  large 
mirror  in  the  parlor  on  my  return,  I  saw  myself  at  full  length. 


120  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

My  best  friends  would  scarcely  have  known  me.  My  bonnet 
was  soiled  and  twisted  awry,  a  mixture  of  red  clay  and  black 
mud  from  two  combined  strata  caked  my  dress,  and  lay  in  patch 
es  on  my  face. 

I  could  not  bear  the  spectacle,  but  ran  up  stairs,  and  girlish 
ly  burst  into  tears,  the  channels  of  which  rather  added  to  my 
ferocious  aspect ;  and  catching  another  glimpse  of  myself  in  the 
glass,  my  appearance  seemed  so  grotesque,  that  my  mood  chang 
ed,  and  I  fell  into  long  and  uncontrolled  laughter. 

Composing  myself  at  length,  I  commenced  my  ablutions. 
At  the  dinner-table  I  discovered  for  the  first  time  the  loss 
of  a  valuable  ring  from  my  finger  ;  and  an  undefined  sense 
of  mortification  prevented  my  mentioning  it,  or  referring  to  my 
accident. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

ADIEU  TO  ROSELAND. — THE  STRANGER. — THE  RACES. 

"  How  now,  Waster  Brook?    Master  Brook,  the  matter  will  be  known  to-night  or 
never." 

J\Ierry  Wives  of  Windsor, 

"  If  you  had  known  the  virtue  of  the  ring, 
Or  half  her  worthiness  that  gave  the  ring, 
Or  your  own  honor  to  retain  the  ring, 
You  would  not  then  have  parted  with  the  ring." 

Merchant  of  Venice. 

"  Come,  wilt  thou  see  me  ride  ? 
.  And  when  I  am  o'  horseback,  I  will  swear 
I  lovo  thee  infinitely."  Henry  VIII. 

I  SALLIED  to  Roseland  in  the  evening,  to  bid  farewell  to  the 
people,  and  visit  once  more  my  favorite  arbor  at  the  foot  of  the 
garden,  where  it  slopes  to  the  river.  The  oaks  shone  green  and 
crisp  in  the  winter  sun,  which  was  rolling  down  rapidly  to  the 
western  trees ;  the  river  glowed  beneath  the  kindling  clouds  j  a 
few  birds,  animated  by  the  softened  temperature,  cut  the  clear 
atmosphere  with  happy  wings,  and  careered  and  darted  from 
shore  to  shore.  The  echo  of  the  hammer  on  the  new-raised 
walls  of  our  dwelling-house  was  the  only  sound  that  broke  on 
the  stillness,  except  the  laugh  or  shout  of  my  little  brothers 
and  their  attendants,  who  were  fishing  at  the  landing,  and  whose 
figures  were  clearly  defined  as  they  bent  over  the  almost  wave- 
less  stream.  As  my  heart,  in  the  softness  of  approaching  sep 
aration,  opened  keenly  to  sight  and  sound,  a  chorus  of  a  hymn 

6 


122  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

was  heard,  and  a  flat,  well-manned  with  negroes,  turned  the  bend 
of  the  river,  gently  moving  on  the  flooding  tide.  They  were 
singing  the  beautiful  words — 

"  When  I  can  read  my  title  clear 

To  mansions  in  the  skies, 
I'll  bid  farewell  to  ev'ry  fear, 
And  dry  my  weeping  eyes." 

The  crew  joined  with  a  full  chorus ;  and,  as  they  floated  by. 
their  notes  of  Christian  hope  lingering  on  the  air,  I  felt  the 
blessed  adaptedness  of  that  religion  which  thus  bends  down  to 
dwell  with  the  lowly.  I  have  since  listened  to  the  full  burst  of 
orchestral  harmony,  seen  the  white  arm  of  beauty  lie  like  a 
snow-wreath  on  the  harp,  calling  up  its  strains  of  melody,  and 
heard  the  rich  strife  of  rival  voices  from  coral  lips,  now  gushing 
like  a  fountain  of  sound,  and  now  dying  off  like  a  dream  of 
music,  but  I  have  never  forgotten  that  hymn  upon  the  Ashley. 
As  it  slowly  receded,  I  mused  on  heaven  until  the  happy  past 
and  the  airy  future  stole  in.  and  mingled  with  my  thoughts  like 
the  earth  and  sky  before  me. 

But  the  lengthening  shadows  reminded  me  that  I  was  to  visit 
some  infirm  negroes  :  as  I  advanced  towards  their  houses,  a  lit 
tle  regiment  of  blackies,  more  willing  and  less  ragged  than  Ful- 
staff 's,  came  marching  towards  me,  with  the  pride  of  childhood, 
to  excite  my  attention ;  the  drummers  were  substituting  their 
piggins  for  a  more  appropriate  instrument ;  and  a  rag  sur 
mounted  a  waving  reed  for  a  standard.  On  seeing  me  they 
halted  and  turned,  forming  an  escort  to  the  huts. 

What  a  blessed  thing  to  childhood  is  the  fresh  air  and  light 
of  heaven !  No  manufactories,  with  their  overtasked  inmates, 
to  whom  all  but  Sabbath  sunshine  is  a  stranger,  arose  on  our 
plantation.  What  a  blessed  thing  to  all  is  it  to  enjoy  that 
light,  and  bathe  in  that  air,  whatever  may  be  their  deprivations ! 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  123 

Long  before  the  manufacturer's  task  in  other  regions  is  closed, 
our  laborers  were  lolling  on  sunny  banks,  or  trimming  their  gar 
dens,  or  fondling  their  little  ones,  or  busy  in  their  houses, 
scarcely  more  liable  to  intrusion  than  the  royal  retirement  of  a 
Guclph  or  a  Capet. 

The  expectation  of  my  departure  increased  my  sympathy  with 
the  children  who  were  sporting  about  their  houses ;  and  I  lin 
gered  to  observe  their  shouts,  songs,  antic  tricks,  and  ingenious 
devices  for  amusement. 

The  adieus  of  the  negroes  were  mingled  with  salutary  advice 
for  my  future  conduct,  and  various  commissions  for  city  pur 
chases  ;  nor  was  the  word  fashion  unknown  in  that  humble 
group.  A  wide  or  narrow  check  was  all-important  in  a  turban- 
handkerchief  or  apron,  and  the  hat  of  a  man  "  must  sure  be  ship- 
shape}''  An  observer  may  easily  detect  here,  too,  the  peculiari 
ties  which  distinguish  higher  society.  The  belle  of  a  plantation 
is,  in  some  sort,  the  same  airy  creature  who  treads  the  boards 
of  a  city  ball-room ;  the  respectable  matron  of  the  field  has  a 
similar  range  of  influence  with  her  who  presides  and  dictates  in 
polished  circles ;  the  sable  beau  has  the  dandy's  air  of  conscious 
exquisiteness ;  and  the  intelligent  lead  the  mass,  as  elsewhere. 

Leaving  the  huts  and  crossing  towards  the  new  building,  I 
perceived  Chloe,  mamma's  waiting-maid,  speaking  with  a  gen 
tleman  on  horseback,  who  rode  away  before  I  reached  the  spot. 
I  inquired  who  he  was. 

"  The  gentleman,  ma'am,  what  saved  aunt  Nanny,  ma'am," 
said  she.  "  He  is  very  pretty  spoken,  ma'am  ;  quite  a  genteel 
person,  ma'am.  He  'quired  very  particular  after  missis  and 
master  ;  quite  assidious  like,  ma'am." 

"  Did  he  say  nothing  about  any  one  else,  Chloe?"  asked  I. 

"  Yes,  ma'am,"  said  Chloe ;  "  he  'quired  after  the  baby,  Miss 
Patsey,  ma'am ;  hoped  she  wan't  no  how  worsted ;  and  he  made 


124  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

me  sensible  that  he  was  sorry  to  be  so  dilantory  in  asking, 
ma'am." 

';  Chloe,"  said  I,  a  sudden  thought  occurring  to  me,  "  how  was 
I  dressed  the  night  of  the  fire  ?" 

"  I  can't  particularize  no  how  about  the  frock,  ma'am,"  said 
she  ;  "  but,  just  as  you  was  racin'  out  higglety-pigglety,  ma'am, 
missis  bid  me  throw  your  old  cloak  and  her  wadded  calash  over 
you,  to  s'cure  you  from  the  djews,  ma'am." 

I  saw  through  the  matter.  Mamma  had  been  quite  in  the 
back-ground  with  the  children,  except  little  Patsey.  who  was 
near  me  in  her  nurse's  arms  ;  while  I,  concealed  by  my  cloak. 
and  that  most  frightful  of  all  head-dresses,  a  calash,  was  mis 
taken  by  the  stranger,  in  that  agitated  moment,  for  Mrs. 
Wilton. 

"Miss  Co'neely,"  said  Chloe,  (;  there's  one  thing  I  can't  no 
how  'count  for,  ma'am.  I  can  take  my  Bible  oath  that  I  saw 
your  ring  on  the  gentleman's  little  finger,  ma'am.  Old  mistress 
used  to  say  there  waii't  such  a  waluable  as  that  this  side  of 
Ingland.  How  come  so?" 

"  I  must  have  dropped  it  in  my  ride,"  answered  I,  "  and  one 
of  the  daddies  probably  gave  it  to  the  stranger." 

And  thereupon  I  fell  into  a  pleasant  dream ;  and  a  bright 
castle  rose  in  the  air,  and  hope  fluttered  over  it  with  a  smile 
that  colored  up  its  gems  and  flowers  with  hues  from  heaven  ; 
and  it  was  not  the  less  fair  that  it  floated  in  misty  clouds  be 
yond  me. 

Go,  youthful  visionary,  enjoy  thy  flitting  happiness !  No 
cold  philosophy  shall  trammel  the  power,  which  a  kind  Provi 
dence  has  given  thee,  of  happy  creations.  I  see  thine  eyes  spar 
kle,  and  thy  cheeks  glow  in  the  sweet  illusion  !  Gaze  on  the 
airy  building  while  thou  mayst ;  reality  will  come  full  soon,  and 
for  light  and  hope  thou  wilt  see  darkness  and  sorrow,  until  that 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  125 

better  light  appears  which  comes  by  Grod's  revelation,  and 
which  shines  out  from  eternity. 

When  I  returned  to  the  Elms,  extra  lights  were  ordered  in 
the  servants'  hall  for  a  wedding,  which  was  about  to  take  place 
between  two  of  the  field-hands,  who  had  requested  the  family  to 
be  present.  The  ceremony  was  to  be  performed  by  Friday, 
their  religious  leader.  This  man  had  been,  many  years  before, 
suddenly  converted  while  ploughing,  and  the  evidence  seemed 
satisfactory  by  the  number  of  followers  he  obtained.  He  lived 
up  to  his  profession  for  a  considerable  period,  but  the  hour  of 
temptation  came ;  a  theft  in  the  smoke-house  was  traced  to  him, 
and  he  was  immediately  deserted  by  the  people,  who  chose  a 
leader  of  more  consistent  practice.  Subsequently  Friday  re 
pented,  reformed,  and  got  religion  again,  as  he  said,  at  the 
plough,  at  the  same  spot  where  the  first  call  had  been  given. 
Being  reinstated  in  his  office,  he  was  invited  to  unite  the  happy 
couple. 

The  bride  and  her  attendants  appeared  with  the  little  finery 
that  we  could  gather  from  our  country  toilets. 

Friday,  nothing  daunted  by  our  presence,  commenced  a  prayer, 
which  was  followed  by  an  exhortation  to  the  pair  before  him  on 
their  duties ;  then,  turning  to  the  groom,  he  said — 

"  Bacchus,  you  been  guine  marry  dis  woman  for  lub  or  for 
money?" 

"  For  lub,  sir,"  replied  Bacchus,  bowing,  half  to  the  pro- 
pounder,  and  half  to  his  bride. 

"  Sheba,"  said  Friday  to  the  lady,  "  you  been  guine  for  marry 
dis  man  for  lub  or  for  money  ?" 

"  For  lub,  sir,"  replied  Sheba,  courtesying  modestly. 

"  Den,"  said  Friday.  "  I  pernounce  you  man  and  wife,  and 
wish  you  many  happy  return  !  Salute  de  bride  !"  Upon  which 
the  lips  of  Bacchus  resounded  on  the  lips  of  Sheba  like  the 


126  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

Christmas  cannon.  W  eall  shook  hands  with  her,  and  a  dance 
in  the  kitchen,  under  Diggory's  direction,  concluded  their  even 
ing's  amusement. 

It  was  a  harsh,  dark  morning  when  we  left  the  Elms,  the  be 
ginning  of  one  of  those  periods  peculiar  to  our  climate,  whether 
of  great  heat  or  cold,  which  rarely  lasts  over  three  days.  With 
the  sensitiveness  of  human  nature,  we  are  always  alarmed  &\. 
the  first  day,  in  despair  on  the  second,  and,  by  the  end  of  the 
third,  the  medium  temperature  is  restored.  The  negroes  re 
ceived  us,  as  we  passed  Roseland,  with  chattering  teeth  and  long 
faces,  and  none  of  them  were  "  so  bery  ivcll." 

And  now  came  the  realization  of  what  is  termed  pleasure,  in 
that  city  whirl  from  January  until  March,  which  shatters  the 
constitution  and  confuses  the  brain.  I  was  soon  drawn  into  the 
vortex ;  and,  when  once  entered,  nothing  but  the  voice  of  con 
science  or  the  sobering  tie  of  matrimony  brings  us  back.  It  is, 
however,  surprising  to  observe  how  soon  Southern  wives  fall 
into  the  habits  of  quiet  domestic  life,  whatever  may  have  been 
their  previous  tastes.  Long  may  this  be  the  boast  of  America, 
though  foreign  travellers  ridicule  and  wonder ;  and  while  the 
unmarried  woman  tastes  the  exhilarating  cup  of  fashion,  let  the 
young  wife  and  mother  seek  her  dearest  charm  at  home,  kindle 
up  into  smiles  for  one,  and  tune  her  sweet  voice,  no  longer  lav 
ished  on  the  crowd,  to  infant  lullabies. 

A  new  charm  was  added  to  my  existence  in  the  friendship 
of  my  cousin,  Anna  Allston,  who  had  just  completed  her  educa 
tion  at  a  Philadelphia  seminary.  I  was  struck  at  once  by  her 
exquisite  beauty,  but  I  soon  forgot  it  was  beauty,  in  the  sur 
passing  loveliness  of  her  character.  It  was  not  the  finely-turned 
head,  and  glossy  hair,  and  melting  eyes,  and  rosy  lips,  that 
made  her  Anna  Allston  ;  it  was  heart  and  mind  shining  through 
them  all.  One  would  have  said,  in  gazing  on  her  thoughtful 


•  SOUTHERN    MATRON.  127 

brow,  that  she  was  born  for  the  aristocracy  of  life,  until  her  hu 
mility,  her  patience  under  reproof,  her  cheerful  attendance  on  the 
wants  of  others,  betrayed  her  as  belonging  to  God's  whole  crea 
tion,  not  to  a  clan. 

As  two  streams,  that  rise  in  different  sources  on  a  mountain, 
roll  on  a  while  in  their  separate  course,  and  meet  and  mingle  at 
the  base,  so  we  became  one  in  taste,  habits,  and  affection. 
Anna  was  soon  an  inmate  of  our  family,  and  was  unto  me  as  a 
sister. 

Papa's  interest  with  regard  to  my  appearance  in  society  was 
quite  unexpected  to  me.  When  dressed  for  a  party,  I  was 
turned  to  the  light  this  way  and  that ;  the  satin  shoe  and  the 
kid  glove,  and  the  pearl  sprig  in  my  hair  were  examined  ;  and, 
if  all  was  comme  il  faut,  he  patted  me  on  the  cheek  and  said, 
"  That  will  do."  And  let  me  pause  and  record  gratefully  his 
judicious  instructions  on  dress,  on  which  subject  he  was  uni 
formly  serious. 

"  Do  not  imagine,  my  daughter,"  he  said,  "  that  you  are  agree 
able  or  attractive  when  your  person  is  exposed,  or  when  you 
aid  nature  by  artificial  means.  Two  classes  of  persons  may 
gaze  on  you,  to  be  sure  ;  the  immoral  and  licentious  with  fa 
miliarity,  the  reflecting  and  serious  with  sadness.  Will  you 
consent  to  such  scrutiny  ?  Follow  fashion  no  further  than  fash 
ion  follows  propriety.  Never  let  your  mantuamaker  dictate  to 
your  morals." 

It  is  one  of  the  quiet  joys  of  memory,  that  I  never  disobeyed 
his  injunctions. 

Anna  and  I  had  attended  no  public  assemblies,  papa  not  be 
ing  able  to  accompany  us.  We  had  his  promise  for  the  race- 
ball.  He  was  something  of  a  jockey,  and  had  a  direct  interest 
in  the  races  of  the  season.  It  was  with  no  small  care  that  he 
fitted  out  his  equipage  for  the  races,  mamma  having  no  interest 


128  RECOLLECTIONS    OP    A 

in  such  things.  It  was  in  perfect  taste  ;  not  so  conspicuous  as 
to  excite  attention,  but,  when  attention  was  called,  fixing  it  by 
an  air  of  perfect  fitness.  Anna's  dress  and  mine  were  his  choice 
too.  Most  of  the  ladies  appeared  in  dress  bonnets  and  gay 
costume,  scarcely  appropriate  to  the  season  and  the  amusement. 
We  were  habited  in  close,  dark  riding-dresses,  with  hat  and 
feathers.  Nothing  could  look  prettier  than  Anna's  light  figure. 
The  fresh  breeze,  too,  tinged  her  delicate  cheek  and  brightened 
her  placid  eyes  as  we  drove  along. 

Papa  rode  on  horseback  ;  and  our  only  companion  was  a  city 
belle,  an  experienced  one,  who  dared  to  laugh  when  she  wished 
to,  and  sometimes  oftener  and  louder  than  was  necessary.  She 
seemed  to  know  everybody,  and  staked  sugarplums  and  gloves 
by  the  dozen  with  every  challenger,  without  looking  at  the  horses. 

We  were  delayed  on  our  arrival  by  papa,  who  could  not  im 
mediately  wait  on  us  to  the  stand.  Anna  and  I  shrank  back 
timidly,  half  envying  Miss  Lawton's  nods,  and  smiles,  and  ready 
words  to  her  passing  acquaintance. 

"  Look,  girls,  at  that  splendid  equipage  of  Captain  Redding, 
there  on  the  right,  with  the  outriders  in  yellow  !  Heavens  ! 
what  a  fright  of  a  hat  Bell  Wilson  has  on  !  How  can  her 
mother  let  her  make  such  an  object  of  herself !  Ah,  cousin 
Edward,  how  are  you  ?  Miss  Wilton — Miss  Allston — Mr.  Si 
mons.  New  housings  for  the  occasion,  I  see.  Who  are  you 
for  ?  don't  a-sk  me  to  bet ;  I  have  risked  all  my  pocket-money 
now  on  Colonel  Wilton's  Psyche.  For  mercy's  sake,  look  at 
the  Farwells  !  what  has  brought  them  out  ?  Heaven  keep 
Psyche  from  a  look  at  those  girls  !  she  will  certainly  sheer,  and 
I  shall  lose  my  gloves.  Ah,  Arthur  Marion  returned  ?  Move 
away,  Edward,"  continued  she,  as  a  young  man  rode  up  and  ex 
tended  his  hand  to  Miss  Lawton.  There  was  a  glittering  ring 
on  that  hand.  It  was  mine. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  129 

"  Mr.  Marion,"  said  Miss  Lawton,  "  we  are  all  for  the  Wilton 
interest  here.  Let  me  introduce  you  to — "  At  this  moment 
the  pressure  of  the  crowd  forced  him  on.  He  kissed  his  hand 
and  bowed,  and  a  sunbeam  fell  on  his  jewelled  finger  as  he  dis 
appeared  in  the  throng. 

Papa  came  and  conducted  Anna  and  myself  to  the  stand  : 
while  Miss  Lawton,  laughing  in  pretended  perplexity  at  whose 
arm  she  should  select  among  her  many  beaux,  lightly  followed. 

It  was  droll  enough  to  hear  the  changes  that  were  rung  on 
Psyche's  name  as  she  was  led  forth  ;  even  the  newspaper  was 
resorted  to  to  spell  it.  One  called  her  Pyke,  another  Syke,  an 
other  Switchey.  A  countryman  who  had  bet  upon  her  called 
out,  "  Hurra  for  Pikery  !"  A  gentleman,  quite  at  fault,  made 
a  practical  pun  by  sneezing  instead  of  pronouncing  her  name, 
while  another  cried,  "  Physic  !  Physic  forever  !" 

Those  who  doubt  the  morality  of  a  horse-race,  or  who  have 
never  witnessed  one,  will  scarcely  be  able  to  understand  the 
feelings  of  a  young  girl  who  has  been  brought  up  in  a  kind  of 
companionship  with  these  noble  creatures,  under  circumstances 
like  mine,  as  the  bugle  sounded  the  preparatory  note  ;  and  it 
may  excite  a  smile  in  those  who  regard  the  sport  as  low  and 
vulgar  ;  but,  from  the  moment  papa's  beautiful  Psyche  started, 
at  the  tap  of  the  drum,  my  breath  seemed  suspended,  and  my 
eyes  followed  her  as  if  she  were  the  only  living  thing  in  exist 
ence.  Darting  like  a  sunbeam,  she  pressed  on ;  as  she  ap 
proached  in  the  first  heat  in  advance  of  her  rival,  I  unconscious 
ly  stood  up  to  urge  her  on  her  way  ;  and  when,  unflagging  and 
triumphant,  she  bounded  to  the  goal,  I  shouted  aloud,  though 
unheard  amid  the  cheers,  and  tears,  I  must  confess  it,  started 

to  my  eyes. 

6* 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

AN   ALARM. — RETURN   FROM   THE    RACES. — JOCKEY  CLUB 

BALL. 

"  Grim-visaged  vice  with  all  her  hydra  race, 
And  antic  folly  with  her  rude  grimace, 
And  all  the  arts  that  cunning  gamesters  know, 
And  all  the  practice  of  the  fiends  below, 
Here  yield  a  theme  that  other  bards  may  try." 

CRAFT'S  Raciad. 

"  A  heav'nly  image  in  the  glass  appears, 
To  that  she  bends,  to  that  her  eyes  she  rears, 
The  inferior  priestess  at  her  altar's  side, 
Trembling,  begins  the  sacred  rites  of  pride." 

POPE. 
"  Some  with  the  ladies  in  the  ball-room  ply 

Their  bounding  elasticity  of  heel, 
Evolving,  as  they  trip  it  whirlingly, 
The  merry  mazes  of  th'  entangled  reel." 

blister  Fair. 

THE  races  were  over  ;  papa  led  us  to  our  carriage  ;  and  Miss 
Lawton  was  counting  her  triumphs,  on  her  fingers,  to  the  beaux 
who,  with  prancing  steeds,  lingered  by  her  ;  when,  on  looking 
in  idle  curiosity  at  the  throng,  I  perceived  Jim,  near  where 
our  carnage  was  stationed,  with  my  little  brother  Ben  by  his 
side. 

Negroes  love  the  excitement  of  any  public  spectacle  ;  and 
they  are  indulged  so  much  as  to  become  almost  a  nuisance  in 
pressing  around  military  and  other  displays.  They  often  carry 
a  white  child  for  more  perfect  security  ;  and  there  is  in  a 
Southern  crowd  a  curious  contrast  between  the  fair,  careless 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  A  SOUTHERN  MATRON.        131 

faces  of  infants  held  high  in  their  nurse's  arms,  and  the  bronzed, 
eager  countenances  of  those  who  attend  them.  Now  and  then 
a  guard  appears  ;  and  they  dodge,  and  scamper,  and  disperse, 
for  a  few  moments,  like  a  flock  of  sheep,  with  shouts,  and  often 
laughter  ;  but  only  to  return  again  with  the  same  eagerness  as 
before. 

Jim,  with  a  new  cap  set  a  little  on  one  side,  was,  at  that  mo 
ment,  one  of  the  most  glorified  beings  in  existence.  His  eyes 
seemed  to  drink  in  the  scene ;  his  wide  mouth  developing  a  set 
of  teeth  as  expressive  as  any  features ;  and  while  he  held  Ben 
in  one  hand,  he  was  beating  time  with  the  other  against  his 
thigh  to  the  music  of  a  distant  fiddle.  Ben  was  equally  enrap 
tured  ;  forgetting  his  fine  new  clothes,  in  which  he  had  been 
trammelled  in  the  morning,  he  trotted  along  by  Jim's  side,  ask 
ing  and  answering  eager  questions.  They  caught  a  glimpse  of 
us,  and  were  hastening  to  the  carriage,  when  the  horses  that 
were  attached  to  a  vehicle  behind  started,  plunged,  reared,  and 
pressed  on  the  alarmed  crowd.  Instead  of  retreating,  Jim  at 
tempted  to  cross  to  us.  I  saw  the  horses  dash  on — I  saw  Ben 
fall,  and  my  eyes  closed  in  a  kind  of  despair.  I  was  roused  in 
stantly  by  a  shout  of  joy  and  approbation  from  the  crowd;  and 
in  a  moment  perceived  Ben  clasping,  with  a  strong  and  almost 
convulsive  energy,  the  neck  of  Lewis — our  dear  Lewis  Barn- 
well. 

Leaving  his  horse  with  his  servant,  he  sprang  into  the  car 
riage  ;  and  in  a  moment  his  joyous,  careless  spirits,  free  as  if 
nothing  had  occurred,  were  illuminating  every  object  which  they 
glanced  upon. 

"  Heart-whole,  Cornelia,"  said  he,  knocking  on  his  breast 
playfully.  "  Those  red-cheeked  Connecticut  girls  cured  my 
wounds  in  a  month.  I  visited  poor  Duncan,  too,"  continued  he 
(while  a  tender  sadness,  that  made  him  doubly  handsome,  shaded 


132  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

his  happy  eyes),  "  and  I  learned  lessons  which  only  the  grave 
teaches.  Do  you  know  that  I  almost  envied  him  that  meltin^ 
away  to  death,  and  that  quiet  rest  where  the  snow-flakes  arc 
lying  in  coldness  and  in  purity?  I  fear  my  spirit"  (and  he 
spoke  almost  prophetically)  "  will  wrestle  fearfully  with  the  de 
stroying  angel.  But  how  you  have  improved,  Miss  Wilton" 
he  exclaimed,  not  minding  a  blush  that  rose  and  covered  even 
my  forehead  with  the  glow — "  I  suppose  I  must  read — for  a 
fawn-like,  romping  country-lassie,  a  graceful,  polished  city  belle  ! 
Miss  Lawton,  do  not  let  her  be  spoiled,  if  you  are  her  friend. 
I  hate  a  regular  belle  as  I  do  a  green  persimmon.  Calculating 
all  night,  and  dressing  all  day,  their  hearts  get  beaten  up  by  the 
world  like  grist  in  a  mortar ;  and  when  a  man  marries  a  woman, 
he  gets  a  body  without  a  soul,  and  sometimes  a  dress  without  a 
body.  Miss  Lawton,  I  am  sure  you  are  not  a  professed  belle, 
or  you  would  not  blush  so  becomingly ;  and  Miss  Allston" — he 
paused — there  was  something  too  spiritually  soft  in  those  full 
eyes  for  trifling.  Lewis  gave  her  one  long,  earnest  look,  longer 
than  propriety  warranted ;  as  if  to  read  through  those  beautiful 
windows  the  volume  of  her  soul.  Her  sweet  tranquillity  was 
undisturbed  ;  no  alarm  or  consciousness  was  on  her  brow  ;  yet, 
as  she  quietly  withdrew  her  glance  from  his,  her  cheek  faintly 
glowed,  like  the  surface  of  an  unruffled  lake  when  the  twilight 
sky  looks  down  without  a  cloud. 

And  now  rolled  back  that  varied  throng ;  and  the  waters  of 
Canorisborough  reflected  the  gay  housings  of  returning  steeds, 
the  richly-panelled  carriages,  and  the  floating  veils  of  beauty : 
while  the  earnest  voice  of  the  gesticulating  negro — the  oath  of 
the  sailor — the  prattle  of  childhood — the  ambitious  crack  of  the 
coachman's  whip — and  the  shrill  laugh  of  the  fair,  mingled  and 
floated  on  the  wind. 

I  did  not  ask  myself  then,  as  I  now  do,  if  all  this  seeming 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  133 

was  true  ;  I  did  not  speculate  on  the  pouting  lip  of  disappointed 
beauty,  which  had  been,  perchance,  slighted  and  forgotten  j  I 
did  not  perceive,  in  some  dark  and  moody  individual,  the  loser 
of  thousands,  nor  detect  beneath  a  gayer  tone  a  fiercer  pang ;  I 
did  not  return  in  imagination  to  the  ground,  and  trace  the  vo 
taries  of  debauchery  and  drunkenness,  in  their  unholy  pleasures, 
nor  follow  the  revellers  to  homes  where  anxious  wives  and  hun 
gry  children  awaited,  but  without  hope,  their  return. 

*#*##*# 

The  dress  for  the  first  ball !  Who  shall  describe  its  infinite 
importance  1  As  Flora  laid  mine,  article  by  article,  on  the  bed 
after  dinner,  and  Cely,  Anna's  maid,  with  laudable  rivalry,  did 
the  same,  how  admiringly  we  gazed ;  how  we  folded  every  plait 
in  the  silky  gauze,  smoothed  every  wrinkle  in  the  glossy  satin, 
and  measured  the  little  slipper,  until,  wearied  with  the  com 
pleteness  of  preparation,  we  sank  into  ennui  until  evening. 

Perhaps  there  is  nothing  more  ridiculous  than  the  pains  be 
stowed  on  the  arrangement  of  an  article  of  dress  compared  with 
its  effect. 

"  Bring  another  light,  Ccly,"  said  Anna  to  her  maid,  as  she 
stood  before  her  toilet,  in  an  important  tone. 

It  was  placed  beside  the  other,  near  the  dressing-glass,  but 
my  grave  cousin  was  not  satisfied. 

"Another,  Cely." 

It  was  brought,  and  arranged  anew,  before  the  focus  of  rays 
was  right  for  the  true  development. 

"  Now,  Cely,"  said  she,  with  a  business  voice,  "  put  this  last 
pin  in  my  sash."  It  was  done — the  last  pin  !  and  Anna  All- 
ston  stood  before  her  mirror  the  image  of  youthful  beauty ;  and 
Cely  looked  at  her  mistress  with  a  satisfied  gaze,  and  folded  her 
arms,  for  her  task  was  done. 

We  went  down  stairs,  not,  as  usual,  with  springing  steps  and 


134  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

interlacing  arms,  whispering  sweet  confidence,  but  stiff  and  con 
scious,  followed  by  Flora  and  Cely.  As  we  passed  two  of  the 
negroes  in  the  dining-room,  one  of  them  said, 

'  Ki,  Miss  Neely  look  more  prettier  dan  Miss  Anna,  for 
true !" 

And,  for  an  instant,  as  I  passed  the  mirror,  and  saw  the 
heightened  glow  on  my  cheek,  contrasted  with  her  paler  hue.  I 
thought  so  too ;  but,  as  I  looked  at  her  again,  the  vanity  passed 
away ;  for  how  could  any  combination  of  flesh  and  blood  com 
pete  with  the  refined  loveliness  that  floated  about  and  around 
her  like  a  silver-edged  cloud  ? 

Mamma  was  dressed,  for  papa  had  insisted  on  her  introdu 
cing  us  in  public.  I  scarcely  knew  my  dear,  quiet,  comfortable 
mother  in  the  plum-colored  satin  dress,  exalted  turban,  and 
waving  feathers,  with  which  she  was  arrayed.  Chloe  stood 
looking  more  important  than  ever  behind  her  chair.  We  were 
dressed  too  early,  and  were  beginning  to  feel  the  weariness  con 
sequent  on  such  a  circumstance,  when  Lewis  Barnwell  was  an 
nounced.  Such  a  companion  is  a  golden  treasure — a  half-hour 
before  a  ball. 

The  carriages  began  to  roll  through  Broad-street.  Neither 
Chloe,  Flora,  nor  Cely  would  allow  Lewis  to  wrap  us  in  our 
shawls,  but  laid  them  with  peculiar  caution  on  our  shoulders. 
He  entered  the  carriage,  and  went  with  us  to  the  hall,  where, 
with  a  tragic  gesture  of  regret,  for  he  was  not  a  member  of  the 
Jockey  Club,  he  left  us  to  the  care  of  the  managers. 

Shy  and  fluttered,  we  followed  mamma  up  the  broad  stairs, 
and  half  shrank  back  as  the  light  of  the  chandeliers  burst  upon 
us ;  and  the  seats  looked  a  mile  off  as  we  trod  over  the  chalked 
horses  on  the  floor ;  and  a  thrilling  joy  woke  up  in  us  as  the 
band  struck  a  full  accompaniment. 

When  sented  in  such  a  scene,  one  gradually  finds  one's  own 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  135 

relative  importance.  Mamma's  plum-colored  satin  and  feather 
no  longer  seemed  to  me  the  ne  plus  ultra  of  dress,  when  I  ob 
served  the  row  of  brilliant-looking  ladies  who  lined  the  room ; 
and  Anna  and  I  shrivelled  up  into  almost  nothingness,  as  peep 
ing,  without  partners,  from  behind  a  cotillion-set,  we  saw  the 
easy,  graceful,  practised  forms  of  the  city  belles. 

Papa  brought  up  several  oldish  country  gentlemen  to  speak 
to  us,  who  joked  about  their  dancing  days  being  over !  and  the 
managers,  after  a  while,  succeeded  in  obtaining  two  strangers 
for  our  partners  in  a  cotillion.  Anna's  nearly  tore  her  gauze 
frock  in  his  ambitious  leaps ;  and  mine,  not  knowing  the  figures, 
raced  after  me  like  another  Theseus  following  his  Ariadne,  and 
breathed  a  puff  of  self -congratulation  when  the  order  '•'-partner 
round"  gave  him  an  acknowledged  right  to  seize  me. 

Anna  and  I  glanced  at  each  other  with  a  smile  as  the  gentle 
men  retired ;  but  we  had  danced,  and  that  was  something. 

"  Take  your  partners  for  another  cotillion,"  said  the  man 
agers  ;  and  partners  were  taken,  but  not  Anna  and  I.  Another 
and  another  was  called,  and  everybody  seemed  conversing  ex 
cept  us.  Where  were  Anna's  and  my  long,  long  talks,  when 
words  came  out  quick  and  gay  like  the  song  of  birds.  Mamma 
was  half  off  in  a  dozy  slumber,  and  the  oldish  gentlemen  had 
gone  to  the  card-room. 

"  Oh,  dear,"  said  I  to  Anna,  with  a  sigh,  "  if  we  were  only  at 
Roselaud  with  Diggory's  fiddle  !" 

"  I  never  will  come  to  another  ball,"  said  Anna,  with  more 
acrimony  than  she  was  wont  to  show. 

At  this  crisis  a  set  was  forming  directly  in  front  of  us  ;  and 
leading  a  graceful  girl,  who  listened  and  smiled  as  he  spoke, 
came  Arthur  Marion.  I  saw  him  glance  at  our  group  like  one 
who  did  not  feel  quite  assured  of  knowing  the  individuals  there  ; 
and  then,  as  if  decided  in  the  negative,  turn  away  to  his  partner. 


136  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

A  doubtful  expression  once  crossed  his  face  as  he  met  my  eyes 
in  dancing ;  but  it  passed  off  and  did  not  return. 

I  had  sat  so  long  neglected  that  my  nerves  became  excited. 
I  felt  as  if  I  was  mocked ;  the  sensation  of  anger  which  had 
agitated  me  at  church  returned.  The  music  sounded  harsh 
and  grating — I  would  have  closed  my  ears  ;  I  felt  as  if  I  should 
scream,  or  weep,  or  grasp  at  something  violently,  and  yet  I  sat 
like  a  statue.  How  often  have  such  scenes  of  light  and  joy 
shone  on  aching  hearts?  Mr.  Marion's  partner  dropped  her 
handkerchief,  and  as  he  drew  off  his  glove  to  present  it  to  her, 
the  blaze  of  the  chandelier  fell  on  my  ring.  A  reaction  took 
place  ;  I  became,  I  know  not  why,  tranquil  ;  but  the  forms 
in  the  dance  were  dreamy,  and  I  seemed  to  be  in  another  sphere. 

The  supper-hour  arrived.  No  Adonis  of  my  imagination,  but 
old  Mr.  Guildstreet,  waited  on  me.  Mamma  revived  from  her 
drowsiness  as  we  seated  ourselves  beneath  the  evergreen  arbors 
at  the  table,  which  was  spread  with  every  luxury.  The  cotillion- 
set  of  Arthur  Marion  had  preceded  us  ;  his  fair  partner  was  by 
my  side.  What  a  contrast  was  that  brilliant,  easy,  talkative 
coterie  to  ours  !  I  evaded  Marion's  eye  irresistibly  whenever 
it  sought  mine. 

"  Marion,"  said  a  youth  on  his  right,  "  Miss  Saunders  has 
challenged  me  to  remember  her  gloves  to-morrow ;  lend  me  your 
ring  as  a  talisman." 

I  started  as  if  a  pistol  had  been  fired  off. 

"  No,  no,"  said  Mr.  Marion,  laughing  ;  "  none  but  the  owner 
of  this  ring  shall  take  it  from  my  finger." 

"  Miss  Saunders,"  said  the  first  speaker,  "  do  you  know  the 
history  of  that  ring?" 

"No,"  said  a  sweet  voice  beyond  ;  "pray  tell  it  me." 

"  I  protest,"  said  Marion,  "  against  Elliot's  relating  it ;  if  it 
must  be  known,  I  will  tell  it." 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  137 

"  No,"  said  the  sweet  voice,  "  Mr.  Elliot  shall  tell  the  tale. 
He  looks  ripe  for  it." 

And  Mr.  Elliot  began,  with  infinite  humor,  to  describe  the 
adventure. 

In  vain  Marion  again  protested,  and  grew  grave  in  his  tone, 
and  once  spoke  almost  in  anger :  Elliot  went  on  in  his  irresis 
tible  drollery ;  and  when  he  imitated  "  Hoist  she  up  dis  way, 
maussa,"  and  described  my  mud  caked  face,  as  I  turned  to  make 
my  parting  bow,  even  Marion's  gravity  was  conquered ;  and 
such  a  peal  of  laughter  rang  out  from  the  group,  as  made  papa 
and  Mr.  Gruildstreet,  who  had  heard  none  of  the  conversation, 
push  aside  their  platos  of  oysters  for  a  moment  ere  they  return 
ed  to  the  onslaught. 

I  could  have  cried  outright ;  my  head  throbbed  ;  my  heart 
beat  as  if  it  would  have  flown  from  my  bosom  ;  my  ears  tingled ; 
and  that  laugh  seemed  multiplied  to  an  infinitude.  I  could 
not  divest  myself  of  the  idea  that  I  was  known  and  ridiculed ; 
and  I  entreated  papa,  with  an  earnestness  that  surprised  him, 
to  hurry  home. 

I  was  obliged  to  climb  over  the  seat,  which  was  not  remova 
ble  ;  and  Marion,  in  common  courtesy,  offered  his  hand.  He 
perceived  my  extreme  agitation  (for  I  trembled  excessively,  and 
almost  thought  I  should  have  fallen)  5  regarded  me  with  an  ex 
pression  of  interest  and  sympathy ;  and  when  a  servant  brought 
my  shawl,  respectfully  placed  it  on  my  shoulders,  while  my  thank 
you,  sir,  was  as  indistinct  as  when  my  mouth  was  full  of  mud. 

"  Allow  me  to  forestall  the  manager,  and  accompany  you  to 
your  carriage,"  said  he. 

But  old  Mr.  Guildstreet  bustled  over  the  seat,  and  offered 

his  arm — Marion  retired. 

###*### 

"  Undress  me,  Flora,"  said  I,  pressing  my  hand  to  my  throb- 


138  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

bing  head  as  we  reached  our  bedroom,  where  our  maids  were 
waiting  for  us. 

"  Miss  Neely,"  exclaimed  Flora,  "how  you  been  trow  yourself 
down  on  de  chair  so  hasty  !  You  been  marsh  you  frock  all  up 
to  nottin." 

"  And  jus  look  how  Miss  Anna  flung  down  she  bracelet,  like 
it  an't  wort,"*  cried  Cely,  picking  up  the  jewel  and  depositing 
it  in  its  case. 

*  Worth  anything. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

MUSIC. — ESSAY  AT  HOUSEKEEPING. — FOKTUNE-TELLEK. 

"  Is  Rosaline,  whom  thou  didst  love  so  dear, 
So  soon  forsaken  ?    Young  men's  love  then  lies, 
Not  truly  in  their  hearts,  but  in  their  eyes." 

Romeo  and  Juliet. 

"  First  loves  are  not  necessarily  more  foolish  than  others,  but  the  chances  are  cer 
tainly  against  them.  Proximity  of  time  or  place,  a  variety  of  accidental  circumstances, 
more  than  the  essential  merits  of  the  object,  often  produce  what  is  called  first  love." 

MARIA  EDGEWORTH. 

"  I  sat 

And  took  my  coflee  with  my  guest." 

GOETHE'S  Hcrmaam  and  Dorothea. 

IT  is  pleasant  to  watch  the  opening  of  young  and  pure  affec 
tions.  Anna's  heart  was  hanging  like  a  bud  on  its  stalk ;  petal 
after  petal  expanded,  till  it  lay  with  its  rich  developments  be 
neath  the  eye  of  love ;  the  sun  warmed,  the  breeze  fanned,  the 
dew  nourished  it,  and  Lewis  was  to  her  the  sun,  the  breeze,  the 
dew. 

Borne  away  by  his  intense  admiration  of  female  beauty,  he 
was  irresistibly  attracted  ;  and,  day  after  day,  Anna's  loveliness 
and  simplicity  beguiled  him  almost  unknowingly  into  stronger 
sentiments.  We  were  soon  in  each  other's  confidence,  for  the 
habits  of  our  childhood  were  renewed,  and  he  often  playfully 
reverted  to  the  past.  He  retained  the  same  virtues  and  faults 
as  formerly.  High-souled  and  generous,  but  thoughtless  and 
passionate,  he  was  governed  by  the  most  sudden  impulses  to 


140  KECOLLKCTIONS    OF    A 

right  and  wrong,  yet  ever  repenting  heartily  of  excesses.  As 
I  perceived  Anna's  affections  gradually,  though  unknown  to 
herself,  leaning  towards  him,  I  trembled  for  her ;  but  when  I 
saw  her  delicate  will  turning  by  a  look  the  course  of  his  pas 
sions.  I  was  comforted,  and  I  said  to  him — 

"  Oh,  Lewis,  thus  may  it  ever  be  !  Let  that  small  fair  hand 
lay  on  the  helm,  and  trust  your  bark  to  her." 

The  eyes  of  Lewis  never  wandered  from  Anna  as  she  stood 
at  her  harp,  or  played  the  guitar,  or  gave  to  a  few  simple  chords 
on  the  pianoforte  a  charm  and  tenderness  peculiar  to  her  touch ; 
and  well  might  he  gaze,  for  she  realized  the  dreams  of  poesy ; 
well  might  he  listen  as  a  mortal  would  listen  to  the  tones  of  a 
tuneful  cherub.  Besides  the  charm  of  grace  and  native  har 
mony,  Anna  excelled  in  what  may  be  termed  intellectual  music, 
giving  force  and  beauty  to  melody  by  distinct  pronunciation. 
When  she  closed  her  songs,  no  one  had  to  ask,  as  is  often  the 
case.  What  song  is  that  ?  The  words  had  gone  down  to  the 
hearts  of  her  listeners,  and  told  their  own  story.  She  seemed 
determined  to  do  justice  to  the  poet  as  well  as  to  the  musician, 
and  every  sentiment  was  brought  out  like  a  beautiful  picture. 

Persons  who  pronounce  distinctly  rarely  sing  ridiculous  words, 
and  this  just  taste  is  rewarded  by  eager  and  delighted  listeners. 
Ballad-singing  on  this  principle  affords  exquisite  pleasure ;  if 
poetry  and  music  are  each  so  charming  in  themselves,  how  deli 
cious  the  marriage  of  poetry  and  music  ! 

There  is  as  much  difference  in  hearing  the  following  line 
from  the  lips  of  two  different  singers,  as  there  is  in  the  printed 
arrangement : — 

"  To  shield  thee,  to  save  thee,  or  perish  there  too." 
Toshieldtheetosavetheeorpcrishtheretoo. 

Correct  pronunciation  is  equally  important  with  distinct  eni- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  141 

phasis.     When  Moore's  song,  "  I  knew  by  the  smoke,"  was  in 
fashion,  I  was  puzzled  to  know  what  a  singer  meant  by 

"  An  art  that  is  umblc,  might  ope  for  it  ere." 

A  lady,  on  one  occasion,  after  Anna's  bewitching  perform 
ance,  displayed  the  most  singular  perversity  in  her  pronuncia 
tion  of  v  and  w  ;  the  song,  unfortunately,  was  the  very  ne  plus 
ultra  of  v  and  w-ism — the  exquisite  Vale  of  Avoca.  She  sang — 

'•There  is  not  in  the  fide  r-orld  a  ?ralley  so  sweet, 
As  the  76-ale  in  whose  bosom  the  bright  raters  meet ! 

Sweet  wale  of  Awoca,  how  calm  could  I  rest 

In  thy  walley  of  shade  with  the  friend  I  love  best. 

Fere  the  cares  rich  re  meet  in  this  cold  rorld  should  cease, 

And  our  hearts,  like  thy  raters,  be  mingled  in  peace." 

Music  and  romance  were  partially  interrupted,  for  mamma 
was  obliged  by  pressing  business  to  return  to  Roscland,  and  in 
habit  the  finished  apartments  of  the  new  house.  She  was  not 
sorry  at  heart ;  she  longed  to  be  once  more  gazing  on  the  ducks 
and  turkeys,  and  superintending  her  dairy,  with  the  range  of 
other  country  occupations,  and  thus  I  was  left  in  the  town 
establishment.  The  division  of  servants  caused  some  embar 
rassment.  Mamma's  fixed  habits  and  liability  to  visitors  ren 
dered  it  necessary  that  she  should  retain  many  of  them.  Papa 
had  always  one  or  two  employed  ;  the  consequence  was,  that, 
though  amply  supplied  with  new  recruits  from  the  country, 
there  seemed  to  be  great  doubt  about  their  quality. 

That  I  might  feel  perfectly  easy  on  one  point,  papa  bought  a 
professed  French  cook,  who  was  advertised  in  the  papers,  and 
according  to  his  frequent  custom,  brought  home  two  gentlemen 
to  dine  the  very  day  mamma  went  away.  There  had  been  so 
much  regularity  in  our  family  heretofore,  that  I  should  as  soon 
have  thought  of  interfering  with  the  solar  system  as  with  the 


142  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

routine  of  the  kitchen,  and  I  felt  perfectly  at  ease  when  sum 
moned  to  the  dining-room. 

As  I  dipped  the  ladle  into  the  tureen,  and  saw,  instead  of 
the  usual  richly-concocted  turtle-soup,  a  few  pieces  of  meat  in  a 
thin  reddish  fluid,  sailing  about  like  small  craft  in  an  open  bay, 
my  mind  misgave  me ;  but,  knowing  little  of  such  matters,  I 
helped  round. 

"  What  is  this  ?"  said  papa,  as  he  elevated  a  spoonful,  and 
let  it  drop  back  into  his  plate. 

No  one  spoke. 

"  In  the  name  of  common  sense,  Mark,"  said  he,  in  a  louder 
tone  to  one  of  the  servants,  "  what  have  we  got  here  ?" 

"  Cuffee  call  'em  French  bully,  sir,"  said  Mark,  bowing,  and 
trying  to  keep  his  countenance. 

"  French  fire  !"  shouted  papa,  dislodging  a  mouthful  into  the 
grate  ;  "  my  tongue  is  in  a  flame  !  Gentlemen,  for  Heaven's 
sake,  put  down  your  spoons,  and  don't  be  martyred  through  po 
liteness.  Mark,  tell  Cufiee,  with  my  compliments,  to  eat  it  all, 
or  he  gets  no  Sunday  money." 

The  soup  was  taken  away,  and  the  covers  removed,  when,  lo  ! 
there  stood  before  papa  a  pig  on  his  four  feet,  with  a  lemon  be 
tween  his  teeth,  and  a  string  of  sausages  round  his  neck.  His 
grin  was  horrible. 

Before  me,  though  at  the  head  of  many  delicacies  provided 
by  papa,  was  an  immense  field  of  hopping  John  ;*  a  good  dish, 
to  be  sure,  but  no  more  presentable  to  strangers  at  the  South 
than  baked  beans  and  pork  in  New-England.  I  had  not  self- 
possession  to  joke  about  the  unsightly  dish,  nor  courage  to  offer 
it.  I  glanced  at  papa. 

"  What  is  that  mountain  before  you,  my  daughter  ?"  said 
papa,  looking  comically  over  his  pig. 

*  Bacon  and  rice. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  143 

"  Ossa  on  Pelion,"  said  Lewis,  laughing,  and  pointing  at  the 
almost  bare  bones  that  surmounted  the  rice. 

*  *  #  *  #  *  * 

Have  housekeepers  never  found  that  conversation  has  often 
taken  a  turn  which  seemed  doubly  to  aggravate  after  misfor 
tunes  ? 

The  subject  of  coffee  was  discussed  at  dinner  in  all  its  va 
rious  bearings  ;  our  guests  were  Europeans,  and  evidently  au 
fait  in  its  mysteries.  One  contended  for  Mocha,  the  other  for 
Java  ;  one  was  for  infusion,  another  for  decoction.  The  great 
est  traveller  had  drank  it  in  Turkey,  and  seen  persons  employed 
in  watching  it  while  it  was  parching  on  tin  plates,  who  took  out 
each  separate  bean  as  it  became  brown  enough ;  he  argued  that 
it  should  be  pounded,  not  ground. 

The  other  thought,  and  he  thumped  the  table  to  add  force  to 
his  assertion,  that  the  French  must  have  arrived  at  greater  per 
fection  than  the  Asiatics  in  this  delicious  beverage  ;  and  his 
eyes  sparkled  as  if  he  were  under  its  influence,  as  he  described 
its  richness  and  flavor  when  taken  from  the  hands  of  a  pretty 
limonadiere  at  the  Cafe  des  Mille  Colonnes  at  Paris. 

Papa  threw  down  his  gauntlet  for  home-made  coffee,  and 
boasted  (papa  sometimes  boasted  a  little)  of  his  last  purchase 
of  Mocha,  and  the  superior  skill  with  which  it  was  made  by 
Kate,  who  usually  superintended  it. 

The  conversation  was  prolonged  throughout  the  sitting ;  in 
deed,  until  the  beverage  appeared  in  the  drawing-room  to  assert 
its  own  claims,  with  its  rich  brown  hue,  its  delightful  perfume, 
and  the  vapor  curling  in  beautiful  wreaths  from  the  gilt  cups. 
As  papa  dipped  his  spoon  in  his  cup,  a  glance  told  him  that  the 
chemical  affinities  were  all  rightly  adjusted  to  the  palate.  It 
was  tasted — augh  !  There  was  a  moment's  silence  ;  Lewis 
looked  ready  for  laughter  ;  Anna  and  T  were  distressed  ;  papa 


144  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

was  angry ;  and  our  guests,  with  their  eyes  fixed  on  the  carpet, 
were  doubtless  ruminating  on  Turkey  and  France.  The  taste 
was  so  utterly  abominable,  that  papa  was  alarmed,  and  sum 
moned  Kate. 

"  Kate,"  said  papa,  ':  what  have  you  put  in  the  coffee  ?" 

<;  Me  an't  put  nottin  'tall  in  'em,  sir.  He  mak  like  he  always 
been  mak." 

"  Did  you  grind  or  pound  it  ?" 

"  He  de  poun',  sir." 

"  In  what  ?" 

"  In  de  mortar,  sir." 

"  Go  and  ask  the  cook  what  was  in  the  mortar." 

Little  was  said  during  Kate's  absence  ;  we  sat  as  solemn  as 
members  of  the  Inquisition.  Kate  entered. 

"  De  cook  say  he  spec'  he  lef  kettle  bit  pepper  and  salt  in  de 
mortar." 

Our  visitors  soon  departed,  probably  minuting  on  their  jour 
nals  that  Americans  season  their  coffee  with  pepper  and  salt. 

The  cook  was  then  summoned  to  his  trial.  Papa  eyed  him 
sternly,  and  said, 

"  You  call  yourself  a  French  cook,  do  you  ?" 

"  No,  sir ;  maussa  and  de  'vertise  call  me  French  cook.  I 
follows  de  mason  trade,  but  didn't  want  to  disoblige  nobody." 

In  the  sequel,  Cuffee  repaired  our  dilapidated  chimneys,  while 
a  less  pretending  cook  performed  her  duties  better. 

The  distance  of  the  kitchen  from  the  house  at  the  South  often 
repulses  housekeepers,  both  in  cold  and  warm  weather,  from 
visiting  it  frequently  ;  indeed,  a  young  woman  often  feels  her 
self  an  intruder,  and  as  if  she  had  but  half  a  right  to  pry  into 
the  affairs  of  the  negroes  in  the  yard.  In  my  rare  visits,  I  was 
struck  by  one  mode  of  fattening  poultry.  Two  fine-looking  tur 
keys  were  always  kept  tied  to  a  part  of  the  dresser,  and  fed  by 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  145 

the  cook,  who  talked  to  them  by  name,  partly  as  pets  and  partly 
as  victims,  as  they  picked  up  the  crumbs  at  her  feet.  On  an 
other  occasion  I  found  her  applying  a  live  coal  to  the  tail  of  a 
turtle  5  I  exclaimed  against  her  cruelty. 

"  He  too  stubborn,  Miss  Neely." 

As  she  spoke  he  put  out  his  head,  which  was  her  object,  and 
a  sharp  knife  being  near,  terminated  his  troubles  by  decapitation. 

Some  of  the  mistakes  that  occurred  in  mamma's  absence 
were  as  ludicrous  as  mortifying. 

One  day,  as  a  field-boy  was  scrubbing  the  entry  leading  to 
the  street  door,  I  heard  his  voice  in  pretty  strong  remonstrance. 
Supposing  him  to  be  talking  with  a  fellow-servant,  I  took  no 
notice  of  it  until  I  heard  him  roar  out  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs 
in  a  tremendous  passion— 

"  Miss  Neely,  one  buckra  woman  want  for  track  up  all  de 
clean  floor." 

I  ran  down  as  rapidly  as  I  could,  and  found  the  elegant  Miss 
Lawton  on  the  off  side  of  his  tub  of  water,  held  in  abeyance  by 
Titus's  scrubbing  brush. 

The  social  and  agreeable  habit  of  calling  at  tea-time  is  al 
most  peculiar  to  Charleston.  One  evening,  having  several  ex 
tra  guests.  Titus  was  summoned  to  carry  the  cake-tray.  Long 
acquaintance  and  Lewis's  jocose  manner  made  him  feel  on  par 
ticularly  easy  terms  with  him ;  and  as  Lewis  was  helping  him/ 
self,  Titus  called  to  me — 

"  Miss  Neely,  if  Maus  Lewis  tak  two  piece  of  cake,  he  an't 
lef  enough  for  sarve  all." 

Passing  from  Lewis  he  came  to  a  gentleman  who  was  occu 
pied  in  looking  at  the  paper  to  ascertain  a  point  of  intelligence  ; 
and  seeing  him  thus  engaged,  Titus  took  up  a  piece  of  toast 
carefully  with  his  thumb  and  finger,  and  laid  it  on  a  plate  in 
the  gentleman's  lap. 

7 


146  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

Having  served  us  all,  he  deposited  the  tray  on  a  table,  and 
stood  still. 

After  due  time,  I  said,  c;  Hand  the  cake  round,  Titus." 
Titus  approached  the  table,  took  hold  of  the  cake-basket  with 
an  air  of  importance,  and  deliberately  turned  it  round,  almost 
wrenching  his  arm  in  his  attempt  to  do  it  thoroughly ;  and  then 

with  a  satisfied  air,  retreated. 

####**# 

Before  Lewis  left  town,  a  discussion  about  some  stolen  arti 
cles,  that  had  been  restored  to  the  servants  through  the  influ 
ence  of  a  fortune-teller,  inspired  him  and  me  with  a  desire  to 
visit  her ;  not  with  faith,  for  we  were  aware  that  when  one  as 
sertion  of  the  witch  was  true,  a  hundred  misled  the  negroes, 
who  spent  their  money  on  a  shadow ;  ours  was  the  true  spirit 
of  fun  and  curiosity ;  and  one  evening,  when  we  were  going  in 
full  dress  to  a  party,  unbonnetted  as  usual,  Lewis,  with  his  ac 
customed  impetuosity  and  decision,  ordered  the  coachman  to 
street.  Gay  and  laughing,  he  speculated  on  our  fate. 

Anna  became  reluctant  to  go.  "  The  very  thought  frightens 
me,"  said  she.  "  We  have  no  right — " 

"  Right !  Miss  Allston,"  said  Lewis.  "  You  speak  as  if  we 
expected  to  see  a  sibyl  instead  of  an  ignorant  pretender.  I  am 
simply  curious  to  meet  a  woman  who  operates  so  powerfully  on 
so  many  minds." 

Our  fortune-teller  was  surrounded  by  none  of  those  associa 
tions  that  usually  lend  a  fascination  to  the  mysteries  of  the 
craft.  No  cave  with  wild  and  repulsive  entrance  concealed  her  : 
no  lofty  trees  whispered  and  sighed  as  she  delivered  her  ora 
cles  ;  not  a  wrinkle  was  stamped  on  her  brow ;  there  was  even 
something  of  beauty  in  her  regular  profile,  and  her  large  black 
eyes  threw  forth  a  lustrous  ray ;  still,  as  we  entered  her  small 
apartment,  where  one  candle  glanced  with  dim  and  yellow  light 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  141 

on  the  individual  who  pretended  to  the  awful  power  of  knowing 
those  secrets  which  belong  only  to  the  Eternal,  our  laugh  was 
checked,  and  Anna's  fair  cheek  was  paler  than  its  usual  delicate 
hue.  She  trembled  so  much  that  I  half  regretted  her  presence. 

T  advanced  first.  The  woman  looked  at  me  with  her  pene 
trating  eyes ;  and  pouring  some  tea  into  a  cup,  waved  it  gently 
until  the  grounds  were  scattered  and  settled ;  then,  pouring  off 
the  liquid,  she  examined  them  with  an  air  of  deceptive  earnest 
ness.  I  believe  my  whole  heart  was  in  my  face  as  I  bent  ea 
gerly  forward  to  this  singular  dispenser  of  destiny.  What  a 
war  of  feeling  and  reason  ! 

"  Here,"  said  she,  peering  at  the  cup,  "  is  a  young  man  on 
horseback,  and  there — do  you  see  something  shining  there?" 
and  she  pointed  with  a  bodkin  to  the  centre  of  the  cup,  looking 
full  in  my  eyes — "  see,  there  is  a  ring — and — " 

I  was  silly  enough  to  forget  that  a  young  man  and  a  ring 
would  probably  be  the  very  first  things  that  a  fortune-teller 
would  speak  of  to  a  girl  of  my  age :  and  putting  my  hands  to 
my  ears  I  screamed  out,  "  No,  no  ;  not  another  word  !  I  will 
not  hear  another  word !"  while  Lewis  clapped  his  hands  and 
shouted,  "  Excellent,  go  on,  good  woman,  go  on !" 

But  I  was  resolute.  I  felt  as  if  the  walls  had  ears  and  eyes, 
and  that  too  much  had  already  been  told,  and  sheltered  my 
burning  face  behind  Anna. 

"  Now.  Miss  Anna,"  said  Lewis,  as  with  gentle  force  he  drew 
her  towards  the  woman. 

How  beautiful  she  was  at  that  moment  in  the  struggle  to 
conquer  her  reluctance !  Perhaps  the  contrast  of  the  tall  com 
monplace  figure  of  the  fortune-teller  made  her  spiritual  loveli 
ness  more  striking.  She  grasped  her  little  fan  almost  convul 
sively  :  her  eyes  shunned  the  dark  orbs  that  were  fixed  upon 
her ;  and  as  the  lips  of  the  fortune-teller  uttered  a  sound,  she 


148       RECOLLECTIONS  OF  A  SOUTHERN  MATRON. 

caught  Lewis's  hand,  and  looked  up  to  him  beseechingly,  while 
tears  started  to  her  eyes. 

Lewis  could  trifle  no  longer — he  retained  her  hand — throw 
ing  at  the  same  time  a  double  douceur  to  the  woman,  and  said 
earnestly — 

''  God  forbid  that  my  boyish  whims  should  give  you  a  mo 
ment's  pang  !'}  And  drawing  her  arm  in  his,  he  whispered,  as 
we  descended  the  steps, 

"  Let  me  read  your  fortune,  sweet  trembler,  and  its  first  and 
last  oracle  shall  be  love,  love." 

It  was  the  only  time  he  had  spoken  thus. 

Anna  was  silent  through  our  drive ;  once  she  sighed  so  deeply 
that  we  started,  and  I  felt  a  warm  tear  drop  on  my  arm  ! 

We  reached  the  hall,  and  were  separated  a  while  by  the 
dance. 

The  next  time  I  saw  her  her  cheek  was  glowing,  her  eye 
sparkling,  her  step  light  as  a  fay's  on  a  moonbeam,  and  her  smile 
all  radiance  and  joy ;  while  Lewis  stood,  not  dancing  with  her 
but  gazing  on  her,  and  she  knew  that  it  was  so. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

COUNTRY  GUESTS. — A  MORNING  WALK.- — NEW  TRIALS. 

"  Show  not  to  the  poor  thy  pride, 

Let  their  home  a  cottage  be ; 
Nor  the  country-dweller  hide 

In  a  palace  fit  for  thee. 
Better  far  his  humble  shed, 

Humble  sheds  of  neighbors  by, 
And  the  old  and  scanty  bed, 
Where  he  sleeps  and  hopes  to  die." 

CRABBE. 

"  I  WISH  your  likeness  had  been  taken  last  night,"  said  I  to 
Anna,  as,  walking  through  King-street  on  the  morning  after  the 
ball,  I  glanced  at  her  placid  face.  "  You  will  never  look  again  as 
you  tlid  then,  with  that  Shakspeare  expression  between  tragedy 

and  comedy.  How  could  you  fit  those  gloves  at  Madame 's 

store  so  quietly,  with  Lewis  at  your  side  ?  If  my  heart's  wishes 
were  in  such  a  train  as  yours,  I  should  have  jumped  over  the 
counter." 

Anna  looked  at  me  with  an  arch  expression,  which  seemed  to 
say,  "  If  you  could  see  down  far  into  my  heart,  you  would  not 
find  any  trying  on  of  gloves  there." 

Gentle  creature !  Why  was  she  not  spared  for  a  riper  friend 
ship  !  How  rich,  how  golden  would  have  been  her  maturity  ! 
But  Heaven  calls  such  spirits  to  minister  at  its  eternal  altar, 
while  we  of  coarser  mould  are  left  to  struggle  with  the  world. 

When  we  returned  from  our  walk,  the  servants  told  us  that 


150  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

a  cracker*  man  and  woman  were  in  the  drawing-room,  waiting 
for  papa.  On  reaching  the  door,  which  was  partly  open,  I  per 
ceived  a  tall,  sallow-looking  countryman,  with  a  blue  homespun 
dress,  which  hung  loosely  about  him,  standing  with  his  hat  on, 
his  arms  akimbo,  speaking  to  a  young  girl  almost  equally  sallow, 
also  dressed  in  homespun,  with  a  cracker  or  cape  bonnet  of  the 
same  material. 

As  he  addressed  her  she  rose,  and  they  stood  before  one  of 
the  small  convex  mirrors  at  that  time  in  fashion. 

"  Now,  Susy,"  said  he,  "just  see  what  a  smart  chance  smaller 
it  makes  us." 

So  speaking,  they  walked  backwards,  gazing  at  their  dimin 
ishing  size  ;  exclaiming,  "  If  that  an't  despert  curous  '  Well, 
anyhow,  that's  droll !"  until  they  nearly  fell  over  Anna  and  me 
as  we  entered.  Recovering  themselves,  they  nodded  at  us,  the 
man  keeping  his  hat  on  still. 

I  should  have  been  embarrassed  had  not  papa  entered,  and. 
instantly  recognizing  his  visitor,  cordially  shook  hands  with 
him. 

"  And  who  is  this  ?"  said  he,  turning  to  the  girl. 

"  Well,  that's  Susy,  my  sister,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Miss  Susy  is  very  welcome,  as  well  as  yourself,"  said  papa. 
"  Cornelia,  I  hope  my  friend  Mr.  Slute  will  stay  with  us,  and 
you  must  do  all  you  can  to  make  him  and  his  sister  comfort 
able." 

I  fear  there  was  an  inhospitable  look  of  astonishment  in  my 
face,  for  papa  immediately  addressed  me,  with  a  look  to  call 
my  attention. 

"  I  do  not  know  that  I  ever  informed  you,"  said  he,  "  of  a 
circumstance  which  occurred  to  me  last  spring,  in  my  journey. 

*  Wagoners,  so  called  from  the  snapping  of  their  long  whips,  to  stimu 
late  their  team. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  151 

An  accident  happening  to  my  horse,  I  was  obliged  to  hire  one 
of  the  little  animals  called  '  marsh  tackies'  to  carry  me  over  a 
creek.  They  are  usually  very  strong  and  sure ;  but,  as  my 
luck  would  have  it,  this  little  wretch  began  to  plunge  instead 
of  swimming.  In  this  style  I  reached  the  opposite  shore,  where, 
so  far  from  stopping,  he  set  off  at  full  speed,  knocked  me  against 
the  projecting  limb  of  a  tree,  and  deposited  me  among  the  cy 
press-trees  in  the  swamp.  This  not  being  enough,  he  cut  sundry 
capers,  and  kicked  off  my  saddle-bags :  satisfied  with  that,  he 
allowed  me  to  catch  and  tie  him  to  a  tree,  while  I  waded  down 
the  creek  to  recover  my  property.  Mark,  appearing  with  my 
own  horse,  mounted  the  tackie,  and  we  rode  to  the  nearest  hab 
itation,  which,  fortunately,  was  Mr.  Slute's,  who  lent  me  a  clean 
suit  of  homespun,  entertained  me  with  every  kindness,  without 
accepting  any  compensation,  and  has  complied  with  my  request, 
to  come  to  us  when  he  should  visit  Charleston." 

While  papa  made  this  statement,  which  was  evidently  given 
for  me  to  recover  my  self-possession,  Mr.  Slutc  still  stood  be 
fore  the  mirror,  with  a  mountain  of  tobacco  in  his  check,  now 
and  then  retiring  and  advancing,  and  nodding  at  Susy.  No 
other  decorations  of  the  room  seemed  to  excite  their  interest, 
though  they  had  probably  never  seen  any  furniture  but  coarse 
oak  chairs,  seated  with  hickory  shavings,  or  deer,  or  alligator 
skins,  pine  tables,  serving  various  purposes,  and  perhaps  a  wooden 
clock,  a  luxury  to  which  most  country  people  aspire. 

It  required  a  prodigious  struggle  for  me  to  seem  at  ease  with 
our  new  guests;  but  I  conquered,  and  felt  that  satisfaction 
which  results  from  the  determination  to  make  others  happy. 

The  first  moment  we  could  gain  together,  Anna  and  I  vented 
our  ohs  and  ahs,  and  gave  keen  feminine  glances  at  awkward 
possibilities. 

The  Slutes  were  to  pass  but  a  few  days  with  us,  and  Susy's 


152  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

perfect  innocence  soon  won  on  my  regard.  The  third  day  after 
their  arrival,  Lewis  was  to  dine  with  us  and  bring  a  friend.  He 
frightened  as  much  as  he  amused  me  by  his  manners  to  our 
guests,  catching  at  once  their  peculiar  dialect,  and  addressing 
them  in  their  own  style.  I  saw  Mr.  Slute  look  keenly  at  him 
the  first  evening,  but  his  flexibility  and  winning  tones  soon  dis 
pelled  all  doubt.  He  was  entirely  devoted  to  Susy,  rattling  on 
about  country  matters,  while  she  sat  staring  and  laughing  at 
him  in  a  kind  of  surprise  that  was  exceedingly  amusing.  I 
trembled  lest  he  should  go  too  far,  and  trespass  on  the  bounds 
which  some  minds,  the  most  open  to  the  ludicrous,  often  pre 
serve  so  kindly. 

On  the  day  the  gentlemen  were  to  dine  with  us,  after  con 
sulting  Anna,  I  decided  to  give  Susy  a  little  advice,  as  she 
seemed  so  gentle  and  amiable. 

'•  You  must  not  be  offended,"  said  I,  looking  away  from  her, 
"  if  I  speak  to  you  frankly  about  something.  It  is  not  consid 
ered  perfectly  polite  to  pick  bones  at  the  dinner-table,  in  the 
city,  particularly  with  both  hands." 

"Why,  do  tell!"  said  she. 

"  I  expect  Mr.  Barnwell  and  another  young  man  to  dine 
here,"  continued  I,  "  and  I  wish,  if  it  does  not  make  any  differ 
ence  to  you,  you  would  not  pick  your  bones  to-day  at  table." 

"  Well,  I  don't  know,"  said  Susy,  "  I  an't  a  grain  set  upon 
pickin  bones,  no  how,  but  I  reckon  I  mout  forget  it." 

I  mused  a  moment,  and  then  said,  "  As  you  sit  next  to  me, 
if  I  see  you  putting  a  bone  to  your  mouth  I  will  just  touch  you 
with  my  foot,  and  that  will  make  you  remember." 

"  Sartain,"  said  Susy,  good-naturedly  ;  "  that's  mighty  reason 
able." 

The  dinner-hour  arrived,  and,  as  ill  luck  would  have  it,  Susy 
preferred  a  rib  of  roast  pork  to  anything  else :  however,  I  felt 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  153 

quite  secure,  as  I  perceived  her  assiduously  cutting  the  meat 
off.  As  the  conversation  became  more  animated,  my  attention 
was  withdrawn ;  at  my  next  glance,  I  saw  her  with  both  hands 
up,  tugging  at  the  bone  in  her  mouth.  I  touched  her  foot — 
with  a  wild  kind  of  stare  she  let  her  hands  drop,  leaving  the 
long  bone  between  her  teeth ! 

Among  the  articles  at  the  dessert  were  whips  and  jellies  ; 
Susy  eyed  them  keenly,  and  Lewis  handed  her  a  whip.  As 
the  pure  white  bubbles  stood  high  in  the  glass,  she  inserted  her 
spoon  into  the  froth,  and  then  introduced  it  heaping  into  her 
mouth,  expecting  to  taste  a  solid  and  tangible  morsel.  Susy 
started,  set  down  the  glass,  shook  her  pocket-handkerchief,  look 
ed  in  her  lap,  pushed  back  her  chair,  felt  of  her  frock,  examined 
the  floor,  and  then  said,  in  a  low  tone —  • 

"  Well,  if  that  truck  an't  gone  mighty  curious." 

I  hope  it  will  be  understood  that  not  a  particle  of  contempt 
is  intended  in  this  sketch ;  for,  while  aiming  to  present  a  pic 
ture  of  manners,  it  is  as  unphilosophioal  as  ill-natured  to  view 
local  relations  with  so  narrow  an  eye.  The  class  of  persons 
whom  I  describe  are  everything  they  should  be  in  their  own 
sphere ;  they  maintain  in  the  duties  of  domestic  life  simplicity 
and  honesty,  and,  should  danger  threaten  our  country,  none 
would  be  more  forward  than  they  to  protect  and  defend  her. 
No  foolish  ambition  carries  them  voluntarily  into  society  un- 
suited  to  their  unsophisticated  habits  ;  and,  when  circumstances 
throw  them  into  such  circles,  they -preserve  their  own  individ 
uality.  Nor  does  this  sketch  touch  that  class  of  persons  at  the 
South  who,  though  removed  from  cities,  possess  the  cultivation 
of  the  metropolis  without  its  cares  and  vanities. 

If  it  were  not  too  obvious  that  Providence  has  balanced  the 
pleasures  and  evils  of  every  grade  of  human  beings,  I  might 
say  that  this  latter  class  are  the  happiest  in  the  world.  With 

7* 


154  KECOLLKCTIONS    OF    A 

wealth  to  procure  means  of  education,  and  to  enjoy  it  when 
obtained,  they  live  in  a  little  region  of  their  own  ;  nor  are  they 
in  solitude  and  ignorance  :  though  secluded,  their  hospitable 
doors  are  open  to  friends,  and  the  frequent  traveller  brings  to 
their  tranquil  abodes  the  softened  echo  of  the  world. 

The  following  morning  Miss  Slute  requested  me  to  accom 
pany  her  brother  and  herself  to  make  some  purchases  in  King- 
street.  I  could  give  no  excuse  for  declining,  but  consented 
with  as  good  a  grace  as  possible  ;  and  beseeching  Anna  to  ac 
company  us,  I  ordered  the  carriage,  though  for  so  short  a  dis 
tance.  What  was  our  consternation  to  see  Susy  come  down 
stairs  with  a  stiff  new  white  lace  veil,  reaching  nearly  to  her 
feet,  tied  over  her  cracker  bonnet.  Anna  and  I  entered  the 
carriage  in  silence,  shrinking  back  as  our  friends,  in  their  eager 
ness  to  see  everything,  leaned  from  the  windows.  In  King- 
street  we  alighted,  Susy  and  her  brother  taking  hold  of  hands 
and  walking  in  front  of  us.  On  entering  a  shop  they  perceived 
that  they  had  lost  the  memorandum  for  their  purchases,  and 
disagreed  about  the  articles  arid  the  quantity.  Anna  and  I 
gave  ourselves  up  in  despair  for  a  while  to  their  erratic  move- 
merits,  and  then  proposed  returning  to  the  carriage  ;  but  alas  ' 
in  darting  from  shop  to  shop  the  coachman  had  lost  us.  Fash 
ion  and  business  began,  as  usual,  to  throng  King-street ;  and 
many  a  glance  was  cast  at  our  guests,  as,  hand  in  hand,  they 
preceded  us.  frequently  speaking  our  names  aloud.  At  length 
Lewis  discerned  us  ;  he  smoothed  down  his  face  with  a  comical 
look  and  joined  us. 

"  Can  you  think  of  no  way,"  whispered  I,  "  to  get  us  out  of 
King-street  ?" 

Lewis  laughed  at  my  perplexed  look,  and  answering  "  Oh 
yes,"  turned  to  Mr.  Slute,  reminded  him  that  he  had  promised 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  155 

to  show  them  St.  Michael's  steeple,  and  asked  him  if  he  would 
like  to  go  now. 

i:  Well,  I  don't  know,"  said  Mr.  Slute,  "  I  don't  care  if  I  do." 
We  left  King-street,  Susy  and  her  brother  taking  hold  of 
hands,  and  Lewis  following  with  Anna  and  me.  Not  far  from 
St.  Michael's  corner  sat  a  black  woman,  with  a  stock  of  ginger- 
cake,  molasses  candy,  &c.  to  sell,  over  which  she  waved  a  fly- 
brush  of  palmetto.  In  front  of  us  was  a  group  of  young  men, 
among  whom  I  started  at  distinguishing  Arthur  Marion.  At 
this  moment  we  were  hailed  from  behind  by  Mr.  Slute  and 
Susy,  who  had  bargained  for  a  large  square  of  the  gingerbread, 
and  were  asking  us  to  partake  of  it.  They  had  joined  us,  and 
were  pressing  it  on  us,  when  Marion  and  another  gentleman, 
advancing  from  the  group,  passed  us.  It  was  in  vain  for  me  to 
see  as  though  I  saw  not :  I  felt  the  blood  rush  to  my  face,  and 
saw  a  glow  of  recognition  kindle  up  on  his,  although  there  was 
no  other  movement  of  acquaintanceship. 

Mr.  Slute  resumed  his  walk,  munching  his  cake,  and,  as  I 
glanced  back;  I  saw  that  Marion  and  Mr.  Elliot  had  turned 
and  were  following  us.  As  we  stopped  under  the  portico  of  St. 
Michael's,  while  Lewis  went  opposite  to  the  guard-house  to  pro 
cure  the  key  of  the  church  door,  they  passed  us  slowly,  and  an 
other  full  glance  told  me  that  I  was  recognized,  but  whether  as 
the  lady  of  the  ditch  or  the  lady  of  the  ball  I  knew  not.  Marion 
and  Elliot  suppressed  a  smile  as  they  saw  the  gingerbread-eat 
ers,  while  Anna  and  I  stood  like  two  victims,  blushing  to  the 
eyes.  They  passed  on  ;  but,  as  the  guard-man  opened  the  door 
for  us  to  enter  the  church,  I  ventured  one  more  look.  Marion 
and  his  companion  were  turning  towards  the  building,  and,  as 
we  commenced  ascending  the  stairs,  I  heard  his  mellow  voice 
and  Elliot's  gay  laugh  below. 


CHAPTER   XX. 

A  VISIT  TO  ST.  MICHAEL'S  TOWER. 

"  St.  Michael's  spire  !  St.  Michael's  spire ! 

How  fair  thou  risest  to  the  sight ; 
Now,  glittering  in  the  noon  sun's  fire, 
Now,  softened  by  the  '  pale  moonlight.'  " 

LEWIS,  accustomed  to  the  way,  with  Anna  under  his  protec* 
tion,  rapidly  preceded  us.  We  followed  more  slowly,  and  were 
soon  in  utter  darkness  on  the  spiral  stairway.  I  was  not  aware 
that  there  was  only  room  enough  for  one  person  to  go  at  a 
time,  neither  had  I  given  a  thought  to  the  steepness  of  the  as 
cent,  nor  to  the  excessive  gloom  and  solitude,  exciting,  in  almost 
every  inexperienced  visitor,  a  peculiar  sensation.  My  agitation 
was  not  unmixed  with  terror,  and  yet  I  was  disposed  to  laugh, 
as  a  relief  to  the  apprehension  that  lay  like  a  weight  upon  my 
senses,  as  we  wound  round  and  round,  feeling  our  way  at  every 
step. 

Lewis  and  Anna  were  soon  far  beyond  our  hearing  and  ob 
servation,  and  the  scene  suited  well  his  eccentric  nature.  He 
heeded  not  the  darkness,  and  Anna  soon  forgot  it  too.  Love 
held  a  torch  brighter  than  sunbeams  ;  and,  as  he  supported  her 
slight  figure,  he  almost  fancied  the  blush  that  mantled  on  her 
cheek,  and  he  fancied  not,  but  he  felt,  the  trembling  of  her  hand 
as  he  urged  his  hopes. 

"  Speak  to  me,  Anna,"  whispered  he  ;  "  let  rue  hear  your  voice 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  157 

now,  alone  and  solitary,  before  the  world  comes  between  to 
break  the  spell  !  Speak,  dearest !  Let  me  hear  you  in  this 
darkness  say,  that  in  the  darker  walks  of  life  I  shall  be  your 
companion.  Say  that  I  may  aid  you  on  your  way,  and  that 
you  will  soften  mine  with  your  tenderness.  Speak  but  one 
word,  now,  now  ;  that  word  Avill  be  a  light  to  my  soul." 

Anna  did  murmur  a  word,  and  the  light  broke  from  the  bel 
fry  windows,  and  revealed  a  look  that  spoke  still  more. 

"  Blessed  augury  !"  said  Lewis  ;  "  so  shall  your  love  shine  out 
on  my  existence." 

No  one  can  imagine,  without  actual  experience,  how  long 
appears  the  really  brief  period  of  darkness  in  ascending  the 
first  flight  of  that  tower.  Mr.  Slute  and  Susy  were  just  in 
advance  of  me,  and  my  own  expressions  of  excitement  were 
soon  suspended  by  her  more  violent  alarm.  At  length  she 
burst  forth  in  hysterical  shrieks,  and  came  to  a  complete  stand. 

"  I  an't  a  going  a  grain  farther,"  sobbed  she  ;  "  you  mout  as 
well  a'  put  me  in  my  coffin  at  once't  as  to  bring  me  to  this 
pisonous  hole." 

'•  'Tan't  no  use  to  talk  about  it  now,  anyhow,"  said  Mr.  Slute. 
-  It  won't  help  you  none  to  stay  there  squealing  like  a  stuck 
shote.  If  you  don't  choose  to  let  me  tote  ye  up,  you  must  let 
it  alone."  So  saying,  he  ascended  the  stairs,  still  calling  on 
Susy  to  follow. 

But  Susy,  frightened  beyond  all  control,  spread  out  her  hands 
helplessly  in  the  darkness  to  feel  for  me,  crying  out — 

"•  Poor,  poor  Susy  Slute's  buried  alive  !  Poor  me  !  What 
shall  I  do  ?" 

I  spoke  to  her  as  soothingly  as  possible,  but  without  effect ; 
she  would  neither  advance  nor  return,  but  seemed  in  an  ecstacy 
of  terror. 

At  length  I  heard  a  voice  close  behind  me.     "  Can  I  be  of 


158  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

any  assistance  here  ?"  it  said.  "  If  my  name  is  any  pledge  of 
my  good- will,  it  is  Arthur  Marion." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  said  I,  exceedingly  embarrassed  at  the  pre 
posterous  predicament  in  which  I  was  again  placed,  and  bewil 
dered  with  the  darkness. 

"  What  is  the  lady's  name  ?"  asked  Marion. 

"  Miss  Susan  Slute,"  I  replied. 

"  Miss  Susan,"  said  he,  encouragingly,  "  you  have  only  about 
fifteen  steps  to  go  to  reach  the  platform,  where  it  will  be  light ; 
let  me  count  them  for  you  as  you  ascend.  One — that  is  right." 
continued  he,  as  he  heard  our  dresses  rustle  ;  "  two — three — 
you  are  going  on  bravely  now" — and  he  spoke  as  a  tender  pa 
rent  would  address  a  timid  child,  until  the  glimmering  light 
above  stimulated  her  to  more  exertion,  and  we  reached  the  bell- 
room,  where,  throwing  herself  ou  a  seat,  she  recovered  from  her 
alarm.  But  nothing  would  induce  her  to  proceed  ;  and,  stating 
to  the  gentlemen  that  I  preferred  remaining  with  her  until  her 
brother's  return,  they  left  us  and  ascended  another  flight. 

The  delicacy  of  Marion's  manner  was  not  lost  on  me.  What 
refinement,  what  goodness  was  in  every  look  and  tone  !  Again 
my  heart  whispered,  "  Charles  Duncan  would  have  loved  him  !" 

It  was  not  long  before  Mr.  Slute  returned.  Susy's  entrea 
ties  to  go  home  were  too  earnest  to  withstand  ;  and,  as  he  stated 
that  the  next  flight  of  stairs  was  lighted  throughout,  I  parted 
from  them  in  pursuit  of  Lewis  and  Anna,  whom  he  had  left  in 
the  second  balcony. 

Though  no  longer  in  darkness,  the  excitement  was  intense 
from  my  loneliness,  and  it  appeared  to  me  that  I  should  never 
reach  the  first  balcony.  When  I  had  attained  the  spot  I  re 
solved  to  wait  for  Lewis  and  Anna  ;  and,  as  I  turned  to  gaze 
on  my  own  fair  city,  a  thrill  of  astonishment  and  delight  ran 
through  me  at  its  beautiful  proportions. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  15G 

On  either  side,  the  Ashley  and  Cooper,  gently  swelling  tc 
the  sea,  or  twining  off  in  silvery  streams  to  the  woodlands, 
shone  in  the  sunbeams  ;  the  blue  sea  rocked  the  masts  at  the 
wharves,  or  extended  its  broad  surface  for  vessels  that  stood 
with  their  spread  sails,  like  eagles  plumed  for  flight ;  the  flag 
of  Fort  Moultrie  waved  in  the  distance  ;  and  nearer,  Castle 
Pinckney  sat  like  a  swan  upon  the  waters.  I  looked  below  ; 
a  map  seemed  spread  before  me.  I  felt  like  a  being  of  an 
other  sphere  ;  like  something  apart  from  the  human  machines 
who  were  moving  noiselessly  and  voieelessly  to  me,  reduced  by 
distance  to  a  speck  amid  their  own  creations. 

I  sat  quietly  expecting  Lewis  and  Anna,  until  their  delay 
startled  me ;  and  then  I  smiled  as  I  thought  of  the  absorbing 
character  of  their  intercourse,  and  perhaps  I  smiled  the  more  as 
a  glance  at  the  Ashley  reminded  me  of  former  scenes  upon  its 
banks,  when  I  was  Lewis's  heroine. 

I  now  resolved  to  ascend  another  flight  of  stairs,  and  meet 
them  on  the  highest  balcony.  I  had  taken  but  a  few  steps  be 
fore  my  heart  began  to  beat  violently.  I  could  almost  hear  its 
throbbing,  the  stillness  was  so  profound.  I  was  confident,  how 
ever,  that  they  awaited  me  there,  and  quickened  my  steps, 
though  dizzy  with  the  increasing  height,  and  agitated  by  unde- 
finable  alarms.  I  reached  the  second  balcony,  certain  that 
Lewis  and  Anna  would  spring  to  meet  me.  They  were  not 
there.  I  called  their  names ;  I  ran  with  the  steps  of  a  fright 
ened  fawn  around  the  pilasters,  with  a  faint  hope  at  my  heart 
that  they  might  have  hidden  themselves  in  a  frolicsome  humor 
They  appeared  not ;  again,  in  agony  of  spirit,  I  shouted,  "  Lewis  ! 
Anna  !  for  mercy's  sake  come  to  me  !"  My  voice  melted  in  that 
vast  height,  a  hundred  and  twenty  feet  from  the  earth,  like  a 
snow-flake  on  a  stream. 

How  the  feelings  color  objects  !     There  shone  the  heavens  in 


160  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

their  broad  sweep  of  majesty,  calmly,  beautifully  blue,  looking 
down  upon  the  earth ;  there  lay  the  earth,  with  its  green  bosom 
open  to  the  sky ;  the  rivers  still  wound  to  the  sea,  like  loving 
children  to  a  mother's  arms ;  the  sea  expanded  its  broad  sur 
face,  while  near  and  remote  sails  stiffened  in  the  breeze :  the 
city  slept  in  quiet  distance  below,  and  man  moved  there  still, 
the  lord  of  the  creation.  I  heeded  them  not ;  they  even  seemed 
to  mock  my  growing  terrors ;  while  the  winds,  as  they  swept 
round  the  tower,  brought  shrill  and  terrific  voices  to  my  ear, 
and,  as  they  died  away  fitfully,  my  pulses  sank,  and  my  limbs 
trembled. 

My  last  resource  was  to  ascend  the  spire.  There  again  was 
deep  darkness.  I  shrank  back ;  and  yet  the  hope  that,  ignorant 
of  my  separation  from  my  companions,  Lewis  and  Anna  were 
secreted  there,  urged  me  on.  I  took  a  few  upward  steps,  and 
my  brain  reeled  in  the  felt  gloom.  Again  I  cried.  "  Lewis  ! 
Anna  !"  but  not  even  echo  returned  a  sound.  At  length  the 
thought  flashed  through  my  mind  that  they  had  gone  down  with 
out  perceiving  me  in  the  first  gallery,  which,  from  its  extent 
and  octagonal  form,  they  could  easily  have  done,  and,  presuming 
that  I  had  descended  with  Mr.  Slute,  had  probably  left  the 
tower.  At  this  idea  my  brain  snapped  with  the  intensity  of  my 
alarm  ;  strange  lights  seemed  to  dance  in  the  obscurity.  Once 
more  I  screamed  "  Lewis  !  Anna  !"  No  sound  replied  to  my 
cries;  my  voice  grew  hoarse  with  my  efforts;  seconds  seemed 
like  years.  I  attempted  again  to  move  forward  ;  I  groped  about 
with  a  wild  impulse,  beating  the  air  in  the  horrible  uncertainty, 
and  fell. 

When  Marion  and  Elliot  descended  the  stairs  from  the  pi 
geon-holes,  they  found  me  insensible  at  the  entrance  of  the  bal 
cony.  On  recovering  I  perceived  Marion  supporting  me,  while 
Elliot  stood  fanning  me  with  his  hat.  I  must  have  been 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  161 

stunned  with  the  fall,  for  I  could  not  immediately  comprehend 
my  situation,  or  feel  power  to  move.  I  afterward  recalled  their 
looks  of  terror  and  perplexity,  but  it  was  many  minutes  before 
my  consciousness  was  fully  restored.  When  it  was,  I  started 
from  my  position — they  had  taken  off  my  hat,  while  my  hair 
was  loosed  and  fell  around  me.  In  a  moment  I  perceived  the 
embarrassment  of  my  situation,  and  the  blood  seemed  to  rush 
in  tingling  torrents  through  my  frame.  From  extreme  faint- 
ness  I  felt  my  cheeks  suddenly  flushed  with  a  glow  of  shame, 
and.  in  a  reaction  from  the  silence  of  insensibility,  I  began  to 
pour  forth  a  torrent  of  excuses,  and  thanks,  and  explanations : 
nor  was  this  all ;  nature  claimed  the  tribute  she  so  often  calls 
from  the  young,  and  I  burst  into  tears. 

Elliot  was  about  to  speak  to  me. 

'•  Hush  !"  whispered  Marion  ;  "  tears  will  relieve  her." 

I  wiped  my  eyes  and  advanced  to  the  stairs. 

"  Allow  me,"  said  he,  without  offering  his  arm,  "  to  precede 
you  one  step,  to  guard  against  dizziness  as  you  descend." 

I  followed  passively ;  he  said  little,  but  occasionally  turned 
his  head  towards  me  with  a  look  of  the  most  respectful  inquiry, 
while  Elliot,  his  usual  degagee  manner  quite  subdued,  fol 
lowed  us. 

At  the  last  flight,  however,  when  we  were  in  total  darkness, 
they  both  questioned  me  frequently,  that  they  might  know  if 
my  strength  failed  me. 

It  was  a  singular  circumstance,  that  in  the  previous  descent, 
as  Marion  kept  his  hand  on  the  balustrades  and  pillars  for  sup 
port,  my  diamond  ring,  glittering  on  his  finger,  seemed  to  me  a 
guide  and  comfort.  It  was  now  no  longer  visible.  I  felt  again 
sudden  oppression ;  my  voice  faltered,  my  limbs  seemed  to  give 
way  beneath  me,  and  I  should  have  fallen,  had  not  light  and 
air  broke  in  from  the  portico  and  restored  me. 


162        RECOLLECTIONS  OF  A  SOUTHERN  MATRON. 

Marion  requested  to  see  me  home  safely,  and  I  went  on,  de 
bating  with  myself  how  to  thank  him.  Nothing  but  monosyl 
lables  could  I  muster,  though  my  heart  was  so  full.  That  night, 
on  my  pillow,  how  many  delightful  things  I  thought  of  which  I 
might  have  said. 

We  reached  the  door,  and  I  stammered  out  the  very  thing  I 
did  not  mean  to  say — "  I  must  thank  you  for  the  past  and  the 
present  together,  Mr.  Marion.  You  seem  to  be  destined  for 
my  knight-errant." 

He  looked  surprised,  but  smiled. 

"  I  am  not  aware,"  said  he,  "  of  any  past  claim  on  my  chiv 
alry  ;  but,  if  you  will  allow  me  one  for  the  future,  I  shall  feel 
honored." 

He  bowed  gracefully,  and  I  saw  by  his  manner  that  I  was 
still  unknown  except  as  the  girl  of  the  ball-room. 

The  door  opened.  Anna,  with  a  look  of  surprise  and  joy, 
flew  to  me  and  kissed  my  cheek,  while  Mr.  Marion  walked  on. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE     WEDDING. 

"  Canst  thou  love  me,  Kate  ?  A  good  leg  will  fall ;  a  straight  back  will  stoop  ;  a  black 
beard  will  turn  white  ;  a  curled  pate  will  grow  bald  ;  a  fair  face  will  wither  ;  a  full  eye 
wax  hollow  ;  but  a  good  heart,  Kate,  is  the  sun  and  the  moon,  or  rather  the  sun  and 
not  the  moon  ;  for  it  shines  bright,  and  never  changes,  but  keeps  its  course  truly.  If 
thou  wouldst  have  such  a  one,  have  me."— Henry  V. 

"  I  saw  her  from  the  altar  led, 
With  silvery  veil,  but  slightly  swept  aside, 
The  fresh,  young  rose-bud  deepening  on  her  cheek, 
And  on  her  brow  the  sweet  and  solemn  thoughts 
Of  one  who  gives  a  priceless  gift  away." 

MRS.  SIGOURNKY. 

A  GAY  group  of  bridesmaids  were  assembled  in  that  sunny 
month,  the  month  of  April,  around  the  toilet  of  Anna  Allston, 
fitting  the  slipper's  neat  proportion,  or  twining  orange-blossoms 
in  her  soft  hair,  or  adjusting  the  floating  veil ;  and,  as  the  jests 
of  their  light  hearts  went  round,  a  dimple  would  play  in  the 
delicate  fulness  of  her  cheek,  or  a  sigh,  sweet  and  gentle  as  a 
summer  breath  floating  over  roses,  escape  from  her  veiled  breast, 
or  a  glance  of  such  mingled  pleasure  and  reproach  as  rather  ex 
cited  than  checked  her  merry  attendants,  stole  from  her  deep 
blue  eyes. 

Around  her  were  kind  manifestations  of  friendship — the  pure 
satin  cushion,  where  pins,  arranged  in  finished  letters,  told  "joy 
to  the  bride;"  the  beautiful  vase,  through  whose  transparency 
light  came  like  thoughts  through  an  ingenuous  countenance ; 
perfumes,  not  needed  by  her  whose  breath  was  fresh  as  infancy; 


164  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

books,  sweet  mementoes  of  intellectual  sympathy ;  jewels,  glit 
tering  on  her  small  fingers,  save  that  on  which  was  to  be  placed 
the  golden  circlet,  touching  emblem  of  the  love  which  owns  no 
termination ;  and  flowers,  those  fair  and  frail  gifts  which  were 
to  tell  to-morrow  the  moral  of  beauty  and  decay. 

"When  all  was  done  that  nature,  whose  dowry  was  so  rich, 
and  art,  which  even  dares  to  tint  the  bosom  of  a  shell,  could 
do  ;  when  no  jealous  eye  might  detect  an  imperfection  in  the 
snowy  robe,  or  floating  veil,  or  braided  hair,  Lewis  was  sum 
moned.  He  cast  one  proud,  triumphant  glance  upon  Anna's 
moonlight  loveliness,  but  withdrew  it,  for  the  crimson  flood 
rushed  to  her  cheek  and  brow,  and  thrilled  her  taper  fingers, 
and  made  the  white  rose  which  she  held  still  paler. 

Amid  that  brilliant  group  were  two  persons  watching  the 
motions  of  the  lovely  girl  with  no  common  interest.  Cely  her 
maid,  and  her  old  nurse  Binah.  A  china  toilette  cup  and  sau 
cer,  of  classical  proportions,  with  Anna's  name  in  gilt  letters  on 
the  outside,  were  brought  in  as  a  gift  from  one  of  Lewis's  con 
nections.  As  old  Binah  took  the  cup  from  the  servant,  she  ap 
proached  her  young  mistress  with  a  solemn  courtesy  and  an  up 
ward  look,  and  said, 

"  May  God  Almighty  grant  my  young  missis  for  drink  out 
such  a  cup  like  dis  in  heaven."^ 

Cely's  thoughts  were  less  spiritual.  She  evidently  deprecated 
the  well-meant  assistance  rendered  to  the  bride,  and  whenever 
we  interfered  with  any  part  of  her  dress,  quietly  but  instantly 
re-arranged  it. 

The  bridemaids  presented  the  white  favors  to  the  grooms 
men,  and  we  were  summoned  to  the  apartments  below.  They 
were  decorated  with  branches  of  magnolia,  wild-orange,  holly, 
and  other  evergreens  of  our  woods,  while  the  graceful  and 
*  This  touching  prayer  was  heard  by  the  writer. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  165 

odorous  yellow  jessamine  was  entwined  with  their  firmer  foliage, 
and  many  a  spring  blossom  peeped  between  the  glossy  green. 

The  atmosphere  seemed  to  breathe  of  Anna's  presence  ;  the 
bright-wreathed  flowers  kindled  up  anew,  and  the  light  softened 
as  she  moved  onward.  There  was  no  eye  but  for  her. 

The  wide  semicircle  of  groomsmen  and  bridemaids  was 
formed  ;  there  was  a  hush — the  solemn  words  were  uttered,  and 
soon  the  parents  of  Lewis  embraced  their  daughter  ;  and  as  she 
felt  their  twining  arms  and  loving  kiss,  she  whispered,  "  I  am  no 
longer  an  orphan." 

As  first  bridemaid,  I  was  called  upon  to  cut  the  cake,  which 
contained  a  ring.  Many  an  eye  was  turned  towards  me,  for 
she  who  finds  the  ring  in  her  portion  will,  it  is  said,  be  the  next 
bride.  The  girls  eagerly  took  their  share,  and  shade  after 
shade  came  over  their  smiling  faces.  I  broke  my  slice,  and  the 
ring  fell  on  the  floor.  There  was  a  gallant  scramble  among  the 
beaux  who  threw  themselves  at  my  feet  to  find  it.  Did  \  fancy 
that  he  who  was  successful  lingered  a  moment  in  his  kneeling 
attitude  while  presenting  it  to  me  ?  Was  it  in  mere  gallantry 
that  he  bowed  his  lips  to  the  ring  1  Was  there  not  something 
of  reality  in  his  gay  address  ?  Perhaps  it  was  imagination,  but 
the  youth  was  Arthur  Marion,  and  two  weeks'  acquaintance 
does  wonders  with  young  people. 

"  Will  you  exchange  rings  with  me,  Mr.  Marion  ?"  said  I,  as 
we  were  promenading  the  piazza,  in  the  pauses  of  the  dance,  and 
jesting  of  my  success.  "  I  have  taken  a  great  fancy  to  that 
diamond  ring  on  your  little  finger." 

He  blushed  like  a  girl. 

'•  You  will  think  me  romantic,  Miss  Wilton,"  said  he,  "  but 
I  have  made  a  resolution  never  to  part  with  this  ring,  except 
to  the  owner.  I  had  not  seen  you,  remember,  when  I  made 
this  vow." 


166  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

"  And  who  is  the  owner  ?"  asked  I.  "  I  have  a  right,  in  my 
office  to-night,  to  take  some  liberties." 

He  paused  a  while,  and  then  said  gravely. 

"  I  am  afraid  you  will  laugh  at  me  as  Elliot  does,  but  your 
authority  is  not  to  be  resisted." 

After  a  little  hesitation,  he  related  the  adventures  of  the 
ditch.  It  was  amusing  to  see  the  difference  between  his  and 
Elliot's  representations.  Marion  even  threw  a  shade  of  romance 
over  his  heroine,  but  I  could  not  preserve  my  gravity.  Marion 
looked  graver  still. 

"  You  are  amused,  Miss  Wilton,"  said  he,  "  at  this  detail,  and 
laugh  almost  as  wickedly  as  Elliot ;  but,  I  assure  you,  his  ridi 
cule  has  only  stimulated  me  to  shelter  that  lady  from  the  shafts 
of  his  wit." 

"  I  know,"  said  I,  "  that  it  would  be  too  romantic  in  these 
days  to  expect  our  heroines  to  come  out  as  pure  and  unsullied 
from  a  ditch  as  Una  and  her  milk-white  lamb  ;  but  you  must  con 
fess  that  your  heroine  was  not  in  a  very  interesting  predicament." 

"  Every  woman  is  interesting  to  me  who  requires  my  protec 
tion,"  rejoined  Marion. 

"  Should  you  know  your  heroine  again  ?"  said  I. 

"  I  am  confident  that  I  should  know  her  person  anywhere," 
he  replied.  "  Her  face  was  concealed  by  her  bent  hat  and 
soiled  veil ;  but  her  figure  which  I  gazed  on  until  she  was  out 
of  sight,  I  think  I  should  recognize  in  a  crowd  ;  and  on  horse 
back  I  could  not  be  mistaken  in  her.  I  have  seldom  seen  so 
symmetrical  a  form,  at  least  not  until  very  recently,"  and  he 
bowed  and  smiled. 

"  How  was  it  that  the  negroes  did  not  know  the  lady  or  her 
attendants  ?"  asked  I. 

"  They  were  new  hands,"  he  answered,  "  and  could  tell  me 
nothing  of  them." 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  167 

"  What  was  the  height  of  your  lady  of  the  ditch  ?"  said  I, 
laughing. 

'•  She  was  not  as  tall  as  you  are,"  replied  he,  "  but  rather 
nearer  Mrs.  Barnwell's  size." 

I  started  at  the  name.  It  sounded  almost  gratingly.  I  felt 
half  jealous  that  my  friend  should  no  longer  be  Anna  Allston, 
as  she  stood  bowing  to  the  various  salutations,  graceful  as  a 
fringe-tree,  whose  white  tassels  wave  in  the  clustering  forests. 

"  You  are  determined,  then,  not  to  exchange  rings  with  me  ?" 
said  I,  twisting  my  gold  one  on  my  finger. 

He  looked  embarrassed. 

"  You  cannot,  I  perceive,"  said  he,  "  enter  into  my  feelings 
on  this  subject.  I  confess  that  they  are  foolishly  romantic  ; 
but  my  imagination  has  been  so  long  enlisted,  that  it  is  impos 
sible  for  me  immediately  to  divest  myself  of  its  influence.  If 
any  one  could  wean  me  from  the  unknown  lady  of  my  vow — " 
a  few  more  words  were  said  in  a  low  tone,  but  they  were  words 
of  mere  gallantry,  and  convinced  me  that  his  heart  was  with 
his  vow,  and  not  with  me. 

I  escaped  to  the  drawing-room  with  some  light  jest,  such  as 
often  comes  up,  like  the  vapor  of  Niagara,  from  a  woman's 
heart,  when  a  wild  and  struggling  current  is  rushing  below. 
The  ceremonious  courtesy,  the  gay  farewell,  the  presented  cake, 
soon  occupied  me,  until  each  had  received  their  proper  gift,  and 
the  last  negro,  with  his  written  pass,  was  treading  the  quiet 
streets  of  the  guarded  city. 

Dreams  are  odd  things.  I  was  dreaming  that  night  that  the 
Cham  of  Tartary  had  ordered  his  kingdom  to  be  searched  for 
a  lady  whose  great  toe  should  be  small  enough  to  fit  a  gold 
thimble.  His  chief  governor,  with  his  staff  of  office,  was  super 
intending  the  thrusting  of  mine  into  its  shining  prison,  when  the 
merciless  city  negroes,  with  their  fiddles  and  tamborines,  came 


168  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

to  salute  the  married  pair  with  their  customary  daybreak  music. 
I  roused  Cely  to  throw  them  their  fee,  and  they  departed  ;  but 
I  had  lost  the  Cham  of  Tartary's  gold  thimble. 

I  will  make  no  lamentations  over  papa's  old  wine,  nor  re 
flections  on  the  conduct  of  young  men  who,  forgetting  the  sanc 
tity  of  private  life,  think  that  a  wedding,  instead  of  presenting 
a  scene  of  solemn,  and  tender,  and  elevated  thought,  must  be  a 
signal  for  intemperate  revel ;  nor  hint  at  the  frowning  glances 
of  those  who  were  overlooked  in  the  invitations,  nor  at  the  petty 
scandal  of  those  who  were  there  j  it  is  sufficient  that  the  morn 
ing  sun  rose  brightly  on  Anna,  the  heroine  of  the  hour,  and 
that  her  heart  folded  its  fluttering  wing,  and  reposed  in  joy  in 
her  husband's  love. 

The  bridal  party  left  town  that  day  for  the  Elms.  Nature 
was  too  in  for  bridal  robe,  and  glittered  in  April  smiles  and 
tears,  like  her  who  was  welcomed  in  tender  gaiety  to  her  new 
home. 

At  twilight  music  was  heard  approaching,  and  a  large  party 
of  negroes  came  with  their  instruments,  singing  a  welcome. 
They  walked  three  times  round  the  house,  playing,  "  Joy  to 
the  bride,"  "  Come,  haste  to  the  wedding,"  and  other  tunes. 
As  they  passed  the  door,  some  of  them  peeped  at  us,  but  they 
were  too  bashful  to  enter ;  at  length  one  old  woman  gained 
courage  to  come  in,  and,  dropping  a  courtesy,  handed  Anna  a 
calabash  of  eggs.  Anna  shook  hands  with  her,  and,  at  Lewis's 
suggestion,  who  told  her  that  the  people  would  not  retire  until 
they  saw  her,  she  went  to  the  piazza. 

They  were  delighted  with  her  appearance ;  eggs  were  handed 
her  in  all  directions,  and  they  renewed  their  songs  and  dances. 

Among  the  number,  though  a  little  apart,  stood  a  young  wo 
man  with  an  infant.  She  appeared  not  to  notice  the  departure 
of  the  others,  but  lingered  by  the  steps,  dancing  her  infant  in 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  169 

her  arms,  uttering  unintelligible  sounds ;  while  as  she  pointed 
now  to  Anna,  now  to  her  infant,  her  face  wore  a  pleasant  smile, 

"  Poor  Bella  !"  said  Lewis,  "  she  is  deaf  and  dumb." 

As  Bella  turned  to  go,  some  wild  boys  among  the  people 
who  had  been  excited  by  the  music  and  dancing,  came  to  her 
and  threatened,  half  playfully,  to  take  her  child  from  her  arms. 

A  howl,  wild,  long,  and  fearful,  burst  from  the  dumb  crea 
ture  as  she  clasped  the  baby  more  closely  to  her  bosom. 

It  was  not  the  last  time  that  I  was  to  hear  that  cry. 

8 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

MY   POOR   COUSIN   ANNA. 

"  My  flower,  my  blighted  flower ;  thou  that  wort  made 
For  the  kind  fostering  of  sweet  summer  airs, 
How  hath  the  storm  been  with  thec !    Lay  thy  head 
On  this  true  breast  again,  my  gentle  one ! 
And  tell  me  all." 

MRS.  HEMANS'  English  Martyrs. 

A  WEEK  had  flown  as  weeks  will  flee  with  the  young  and 
happy,  when  Lewis  was  summoned  away  on  business,  to  return, 
howe-ver,  the  following  day.  I  need  not  describe  the  parting 
caress,  the  laughing  delay,  the  half-bashful  recall,  hand  lingering 
in  hand,  the  jest  mocking  the  sigh,  and  the  smile  struggling 
with  the  tear.  Who  has  not  loved  ?  Who  has  not  parted  1 

At  length,  with  spirits  elastic  as  boyhood,  he  sprang  over  the 
balustrade,  gathered  a  sweet  rose,  and,  shaking  the  dew  from  its 
petals,  passed  it  between  the  railings  to  Anna,  and  said, 

"  Put  it  in  your  hair,  dearest ;  there  is  another  on  the  stem 
which  will  bloom  to-morrow ;  come  here  in  the  morning,  and 
gather  it  for  my  return." 

Anna  smiled  as  she  placed  the  rose  in  her  hair,  and  her  blush 
was  as  richly  tinged  as  the  flower ;  yet  even  for  this  short  part 
ing  her  heart  was  full,  and  the  smile  of  her  lips  was  subdued  by 
the  sudden  sadness  of  her  eyes. 

Lewis  mounted  his  horse,  and  his  gaze  said,  as  plainly  as 
words  could  do,  that  she  was  all  the  world  to  him — and  this  is 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  l7l 

no  faint  test  of  a  woman's  power ;  for  if  there  is  a  moment  when 
a  youth  forgets  everything  in  creation  but  himself,  it  is  when, 
standing  before  an  admiring  group,  he  pats  his  noble  steed, 
leaps  to  the  saddle,  sits  erect  as  Olympian  Jove,  and  then 

springs  away  before  the  free  air  of  heaven. 

##*#### 

The  sight  of  his  parting  glance  lingered  long  upon  my 
thoughts  5  and  often,  in  after-years,  has  it  risen  to  me,  its  bright 
ness  sadly  contrasted  by  his  fate,  like  sunshine  on  a  ruin.  I 
have  since  dwelt  until  thought  became  agony  on  the  probable 
circumstances  of  that  day.  I  have  fancied  the  full  stream  of 
joy  that  gushed  up  in  his  heart,  as  he  rode  cheerfully  along  the 
avenue  of  his  paternal  home,  where  the  oaks,  throwing  their  vast 
arms  from  side  to  side,  their  mossy  drapery  waving  in  the  air. 
rustled  a  kind  farewell ;  while  the  Ashley,  with  its  clear  waters, 
looked  from  its  wooded  banks,  and  bade  him  G  od  speed ;  and 
the  far  sky  that  blesses  all  pierced  the  thick  boughs  above,  and 
smiled  upon  his  way.  I  have  fancied  the  older  negroes  (for  he 
was  their  pride)  greeting  him  with  respectful  salutations,  and 
the  younger  ones  (to  whom  he  was  both  a  terror  and  a  play 
mate)  turning  up  their  white  eyes  with  a  smile  of  familiar  rec 
ognition  as  they  sought  the  sunniest  bank.  I  have  fancied 
him  communing  with  his  own  heart  (for  his  feelings  were  as 
strong  in  good  as  in  evil),  pondering  schemes  of  benevolence,  in 
which  Anna  was  to  be  his  dear  assistant,  and  looking  forward  to 
a  sphere  of  usefulness  and  happiness. 

I  have  since  dwelt  on  the  terrific  change  in  this  dream  of 
joy.  I  have  imagined,  until  the  figures  stood  before  me  with  a 
reality  that  made  me  shudder,  his  encounter  with  an  enemy.  I 
knew  too  well  the  whirlwind  of  his  passions.  I  had  seen  him, 
when  a  boy,  dash  himself  on  the  ground  and  clinch  the  grass, 
when  his  will  was  thwarted — I  had  seen  his  hand  raised  in  sud- 


172  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

den  impulse  against  an  inferior — I  had  heard  him  in  manhood 
curse  one  of  the  purest  and  best  beings  that  ever  walked  in  the 
likeness  of  God,  and  I  felt  that  such  passions,  if  not  restrained 
by  the  gentle  teachings  and  strong  inward  power  of  Christianity, 
might  work  his  ruin.  I  have  mused  on  these  things  painfully, 
fearfully.  I  have  fancied  a  death-struggle  on  that  day  in  the 
forest  without  an  observer,  save  the  lofty  trees  in  their  cold 
grandeur ;  a  cry  unanswered  but  by  the  moaning  winds. 

Poor  impetuous  Lewis !   a  moral  rises  from  your  nameless 
grave — the  Ashley  murmurs  it  in  its  gliding  current,  once  per 
chance  tinged  with  your  blood  ;  and  the  forest-breeze  whispers 
in  the  thoughtful  ear  a  warning  to  ungoverned  passions. 
#  ###### 

On  the  morning  after  his  departure.  Anna  gathered  the  fresh 
rosebud,  and  twined  it  in  her  hair.  As  I  saw  her  beaming  eyes 
turned  to  the  avenue.  I  felt  that  her  loveliness  was  not  for  the 
crowd,  but  for  retirement ;  that  retirement  where  the  student 
should  sometimes  sojourn  to  pour  out  the  breathings  of  unnamed 
hopes  ;  where  the  worldly  should  look  a  while  at  what  God  has 
done ;  and  where  romantic  youth  should  still  its  volatile  pulses, 
and  feel  in  nature  the  nerving  presence  of  Divinity. 

The  day  passed — twilight  approached,  and  Lewis  came  not. 
Anna  walked  the  piazza  with  a  restless  step.  She  touched  her 
guitar,  its  notes  were  sickly :  her  kitten  rubbed  its  silken  far 
against  her  ankle,  Anna  gave  her  no  answering  caress  ;  she  sang 
a  few  notes  of  a  song,  they  sank  into  a  sigh. 

"  Let  us  go  and  meet  him,"  said  she,  impatiently. 

Followed  by  our  attendants,  we  strolled  arm  in  arm  through 
the  avenue.  We  reached  its  termination,  and  strained  our  eyes 
through  the  increasing  gloom.  No  moving  object  was  visible 
but  the  cattle  gleaning  the  springing  herbage.  Darkness  set 
tled  quietly  over  the  heavens,  unconscious  of  the  saddened 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  lY3 

hearts  it  shaded ;  star  by  star  looked  down  from  above ;  the 
owl  sounded  from  the  distant  thickets ;  and  the  nearer  whip- 
poorwill  uttered  her  sad  lament.  Anna  and  I  returned  in  si 
lence.  Was  there  a  presentiment  of  evil?  She  burst  into 
tears,  and  Anna  rarely  wept.  I  cheered  her,  and  twined  my 
arms  around  her,  and  told  her  of  the  thousand  causes  that 
might  delay  our  Lewis,  and  kissed  her  precious  forehead,  and 
wiped  her  tears,  but  still  they  flowed. 

Days  rolled  on,  and  no  tidings  were  gained  of  the  wanderer. 
The  forest  was  searched  while  a  ray  of  hope  remained.  Its 
picturesque  loneliness  was  broken  by  friends  straining  their 
eager  eyes  for  a  relic  of  their  lost  favorite  ;  by  mercenaries,  who 
sometimes  forgot  the  promised  reward  in  interest  for  the  noble 
youth ;  by  Indians,  fleet  of  foot  and  keen  of  sight,  who  were  em 
ployed  in  the  pursuit;  and  not  seldom  were  seen  in  those 
gloomy  woods  two  females,  whom  once  the  hare  on  its  track 
would  have  startled,  but  who  boldly  braved  that  solitude  for 
him. 

Poor  Anna !  she  ceased  to  eat,  to  sleep  ;  her  only  relief  was 
in  exploring  the  untracked  woods.  A  feverish  restlessness 
wrought  on  her  soul  and  body.  The  voice,  the  footstep  of  a 
messenger  sent  the  blood  with  an  electrical  rush  to  her  face, 
which  melted  away  again  to  paleness.  Her  eyes  were  wander 
ing,  and  her  words  few,  as  we  rode  on  horseback  through  the 
forests  for  hours,  attended  by  Selim,  a  faithful  family-servant. 
Often,  wearied  out  with  penetrating  the  gloomiest  spots  in  si 
lence,  I  besought  her  to  return  ;  but  her  cheek  kindled  and  her 
voice  rose  in  anger,  and  I  had  not  the  heart  to  thwart  her. 

A  few  days  passed  thus,  and  I  was  terrified  by  the  increasing 
eccentricity  of  her  movements  ;  at  length,  one  day,  when  a  few 
miles  from  home,  she  called  me  to  her,  with  a  mysterious  but 
fixed  look,  and  I  guided  my  horse  close  to  hers.  It  was  u 


174  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

bright,  clear  morning,  the  birds  were  singing  among  the  trees  ; 
our  woods  were  glowing  with  flowers,  and  yet  she  said,  whisper 
ing, 

"  I  am  weary  of  looking  for  him  in  this  darkness.  I  see 
chattering  faces  peeping  from  behind  every  tree,  mocking  me  j 
but  [  have  a  voice  left ;  I  can  call  him,  cousin."  Then  strain 
ing  every  nerve,  she  began  to  shout  the  name  of  Lewis  in  long, 
piercing,  unsuspended  accents.  The  echoes  took  up  the  shrill 
and  fearful  sound,  and  the  woods  were  vocal  with  his  name.  I 
entreated,  commanded  her  to  be  silent ;  she  heeded  me  no  more 
than  the  winds  among  the  pine-tops  ;  still  went  up  the  cry,  and 
echo  still  shouted  back  the  name. 

I  dismounted,  and  called  old  Selim  to  assist  me  in  taking  her 
from  her  horse  ;  she  was  passive,  but  still  her  shrieks  rent  the 
air,  and  curdled  my  inmost  soul.  I  sat  on  the  grass,  and  took 
her  in  my  arms ;  I  reasoned  with  her  ;  I  called  her  by  every 
endearing  name ;  I  laid  her  head  on  my  bosom  ;  I  pressed  my 
hand  gently  over  her  starting  eyes,  and  smoothed  the  glossy 
waves  of  her  beautiful  hair  ;  it  was  useless ;  still  rang  the  cry — 
then  my  tears  fell  fast  upon  her  face,  and  old  Selim,  kneeling 
by  her  side,  prayed  aloud. 

At  length,  a  sudden  instinct  prompted  me  to  bend  my  lips  to 
her  ear  and  sing  the  name  of  Lewis.  I  chose  a  plaintive 
Methodist  air,  in  which  he  had  often  joined  with  us  on  Sabbath 
evenings,  uttering  only  his  name.  Gradually  her  voice  lowered 
— sank  to  a  murmur — she  was  still — she  slept. 

From  this  day  she  sank,  oh  how  rapidly !  It  is  fearful  to 
trace  decay  in  one  so  young,  and  who  had  been  so  fair.  No 
bright  hectic  lighted  up  her  check  ;  no  light  brightened  in  her 
eye  ;  the  destroyer  laid  his  hand  cold,  hard,  and  sudden  upon 
her  frame  :  her  form  shrivelled  ;  her  feet  shrank  in  her  small 
slippers ;  her  lips  were  pale  ;  her  eye  became  glassy  and  dim  ; 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  175 

her  fingers  stood  out  lean  and  blue  from  her  white  robe  ;  and 
when  her  wedding-ring  fell,  she  was  too  feeble  to  regain  it ;  a 
harsh  contraction  gathered  on  her  polished  brow  ;  she  spoke 
but  little,  and  then  gasped  forth  hurried  words,  hoarse  and 
thick  ;  oh  how  unlike  the  silver  tones  of  her  happier  days  ! 

She  daily  tottered  to  the  spot  on  the  piazza  where  she  parted 
from  her  young  husband,  and  broke  buds  and  leaves  from  the 
bush  whence  he  gathered  his  last  rose.  It  had  risen  in  spring 
luxuriance,  and  thrust  its  foliage  through  the  paling.  When 
too  feeble  to  visit  the  piazza,  her  easy-chair  was  drawn  to  the 
window,  where  she  could  gaze  on  it ;  and  there  she  sat,  uncom 
plaining  and  un  enjoy  ing,  except  when  a  rose  was  brought  to  her, 
and  then  her  white  lips  would  open  with  a  piteous  smile  as  she 
placed  it  in  her  neglected  hair. 

We  talked  to  her  of  heaven,  of  her  duty.  Alas  !  her  mind 
was  a  wreck ;  the  golden  bowl  was  broken  !  Her  look  was 
never  upward ;  it  was  still,  still  on  the  summer  rose-bush. 

We  removed  her  to  Springland  as  the  sickly  season  advanced. 
It  was  heart-breaking  to  see  her  look  back  to  the  rose-bush  as 
she  was  lifted  to  the  carriage. 

One  day  a  stranger  came  and  presented  me  unexpectedly 
with  Lewis's  pocket-book.  He  had  found  it  when  hunting  by 
the  river's  bank,  at  some  distance  from  the  main  road.  He 
stated  that  the  bushes  were  crushed  near  the  spot,  and  deep  in 
dentations,  as  of  struggling  footsteps,  in  the  soil. 

I  gave  it  to  Anna ;  she  uttered  a  thrilling  scream  of  joy, 
grasped  it  with  her  poor  hands,  and  looked  wistfully  in  my  face. 

"  Open  it,  dearest,"  said  I ;  and  the  tears  fell  fast  from  my 
eyes.  "  It  is  our  own  Lewis's." 

She  unfastened  the  strap  with  her  feeble  fingers,  and  taking 
out  each  paper,  one  by  one,  glanced  at  them  as  if  they  were  fa 
miliar  to  her,  until  she  saw  one  written  in  pencil.  It  bore  the 


176  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

date  of  his  departure,  and  was  evidently  a  romantic  burst  of  his 
thoughts  in  the  solitude  of  the  forests. 

Anna  began  to  read  the  following  stanzas  aloud  ;  her  voice, 
broken  and  husky  at  first,  gradually  strengthened  with  the  un 
usual  effort,  until  it  resumed  something  of  its  natural  sweet 
ness  ;  and  had  it  not  been  for  her  ghastly  paleness,  there  would 
have  been  something  too  in  her  eyes  of  that  expression,  which 
once  melted  every  beholder. 

THOUGHTS   IN   A   SOUTHERN   FOREST. 

"  Cheerless  to  me  ye  do  not  seem, 
Tall  pines,  that  hide  the  solar  beam, 

And  stand  in  close  array  ; 
Nor  when,  like  warriors  stern  and  tall, 
By  the  swart  woodman's  axe  ye  fall, 
Still  ponderous  in  decay. 

How  proudly  soars  each  stately  head, 
With  clouds  for  crowning  plumage  spread, 

And  helms  of  living  green  ! 
I  love  to  see  the  solemn  bend 
To  which  your  lofty  forms  ye  lend 

When  breezes  wake  unseen. 

Fit  music  are  the  rushing  sounds 
With  which  the  lonely  wood  abounds 

For  your  majestic  file, 
When  autumn  winds,  with  rushing  swell, 
Urged  on  by  ocean's  mighty  spell, 

Tell  you  to  stoop  a  while. 

Fit  death  for  you  the  fearful  crash 
Which,  at  the  lightning's  dazzling  flash, 

Lays  your  green  honors  low  ! 
And  fittest  dirge  the  wood-bird's  cry, 
When  to  their  frighted  young  they  fly, 

As  the  tall  branches  go. 

Not  here,  I  own,  not  here  arise 
Tall  spires,  that,  pointing  to  the  skies, 
Uplift  the  thought  sublime  ! 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  177 

Not  here  the  orchard  bursting  bright, 
Gives  flowers  and  fruitage  to  the  sight, 
As  in  some  distant  clime. 

Yet,  mistletoe,  not  sad  to  me, 

Thy  gathering  clusters  wander  free, 

Crowning  the  old  oak's  brow  ! 
Not  with  the  Druid's  timid  eye, 
I  see  thee  raise  the  banner  high, 

Which  woke  his  mystic  vow. 

Nor  mournful  floats  the  mossy  veil, 
"Waving  when  forest  breezes  wail, 

Within  the  cypress  grove  ; 
It  floated  on  my  boyish  sight, 
And  now  its  tendrils,  swinging  light, 

Win  my  familiar  love. 

And  see,  from  yonder  wooded  gloom, 
The  jasmine  opes  its  yellow  bloom, 

By  odors  sweet  betrayed  ; 
Thus,  Anna  dear,  thy  loveliness 
Will  bloom,  with  gentle  power  to  bless 

Amid  life's  light  and  shade." 

"  I  did  not  know  that  my  Lewis  was  a  poet,"  said  Anna ;  and 
one  of  the  sad  smiles  she  gave  only  to  her  roses  passed  over 
her  features  as  she  laid  the  paper  next  her  heart. 

Slowly  her  reason  began  to  gather ;  large  tears  rolled  down 
her  cheeks,  and  sighs,  so  deep  that  her  frame  shook  with  the 
effort,  rose  from  her  breast. 

She  spoke  little  ;  but  her  eyes  were  upraised,  her  hands 
clasped  as  if  in  prayer ;  and  from  this  moment  a  secret  com 
munication  seemed  established  between  herself  and  Heaven. 

She  never  smiled  again.  I  am  wrong — the  night  before  her 
death  she  beckoned  me  to  her,  and  taking  from  her  bosom 
Lewis's  stanzas,  she  showed  me  his  withered  rose  in  the  paper's 
folds,  and  smiled. 

Death  had  little  to  do  to  crush  her  shattered  frame ;  he 

8* 


178  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON 

checked  the  last  blue  veins  that  lingered  on  her  temple  ;  he 
severed  the  almost  imperceptible  clasp  with  which  she  retained 
my  hand  ;  he  cast  a  film  more  dense  over  her  azure  eye,  which, 
with  its  last  look,  sought  mine ;  and  the  throbbings  of  one  of 
the  softest  hearts  that  ever  ached  under  the  burden  of  earth's 
woes  were  still. 

She  only  whispered — 

"I  wish  I  could  have  shared  his  lonesome  grave." 

That  midsummer's  sun  shone  on  hers. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

THE    PINE-LAND    VILLAGE. 

"  Death  is  beautiful— not  as  the  end  of  man,  not  as  the  extinction  of  a  noble  and 
wonderful  being,  not  as  the  final  result  and  close  of  existence,  but  beautiful  in  its  time, 
as  the  momentary  passage  to  a  fairer  land ;  tho  extrication  of  the  soul  from  its  tempo 
rary  dweliing-place,  the  resting  of  the  no  longer  needed  body  ;  the  free  ascent  of  the  de 
livered  spirit  to  its  new  abode." — G.  PUTNAM. 

IT  is  a  solemn  thing  when  death  passes  over  our  homes.  Let 
who  will  depart,  whether  it  be  the  infant,  whose  faint  eye 
scarcely  opens  on  the  creation  which  it  is  so  soon  to  leave,  or 
the  old  man,  whose  orbs,  weary  and  dim,  are  closed  on  familiar 
objects,  or  the  maiden,  with  the  rose  bursting  on  her  cheek,  and 
her  careless  step  treading  lightly  on  the  earth  which  is  so  soon 
to  receive  her,  or  the  young  man,  with  vigorous  frame  and 
active  mind,  looking  thoughtfully  into  the  mysterious  and  the 
true  ;  whether  it  be  the  father,  towards  whom  his  family  turn 
like  flowers  to  the  sunbeam,  or  a  mother,  whose  smile,  like  day 
light,  was  scarcely  felt  in  its  constancy  until  it  was  withdrawn ; 
no  matter  which  of  life's  varied  relations  is  broken  ;  no  matter 
if  it  even  be  a  stranger,  who,  without  claim  but  that  of  hospi 
tality,  comes  to  your  threshold  and  gives  up  his  lonely  spirit  to 
Grod's  higher  household,  away  from  his  own  hearth-stone,  still  it 
is  death — there  is  its  stillness — its  shroud — its  fixed  and  pale 
repose  ;  the  voice  tells  not  its  wants — the  eye  knows  not.  We 
bend  over  the  stiffened  'form,  and  turn  away,  and  come  not 


180  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

again,  for  it  is  death :  perchance  we  lift  the  bloodless  hand.  01 
smooth  the  straying  hair — but  only  once,  for  it  is  death,  and  we 
are  chilled.  We  tread  lightly — yet  the  dead  hear  not.  Why 
does  the  boy  stop  his  whistle  as  he  passes  that  door  ?  Why 
does  the  housemaid  quicken  her  step  .and  shade  her  eyes  just 
there  as  from  a  phantom  ? 

Is  there  no  way  to  render  death  less  dark  and  unlovely  ? 
Were  it  for  me  to  draw  its  image,  the  fleshless  bone  and  the 
darkened  skull  should  no  longer  image  forth  its  horrors,  nor  the 
hourglass  and  the  scythe  be  its  emblems.  It  should  be  sad.  for 
death  is  sad — not  horrible.  It  should  be  dressed  like  night. 
with  dark  and  flowing  robes,  and  solemn,  perhaps  uncertain 
step  ;  but,  like  night,  with  the  new  moon  lighting  up  her  sombre 
mantle,  and  distant  stars,  images  of  far-off  life,  looking  down  on 
her  brow.  Sin  is  unlovely — is  monstrous  ;  but  death  should 
only  be  unlovely  when  allied  with  her. 

And  yet  I  felt  its  bitterness.  Anna  was  gone.  My  heart 
stretched  forth  its  tendrils  and  they  fell,  unsupported  by  her 
sweet  sympathy.  Her  voice,  so  gentle  in  its  youthful  joy,  was 
hushed  ;  her  eye,  so  full  of  the  deep  revelations  of  love  and 
truth,  was  closed  forever  ;  her  step,  light  as  the  motion  of  an 
elastic  flower,  was  arrested  ;  and  thus  it  fares,  one  by  one. 
with  all  whom  we  love  :  but  it  is  well  for  us  ;  ;:  the  branches 
are  lopped  from  the  tree,  that  the  trunk  may  fall  more  easily." 

I  was  sitting,  a  few  evenings  after  Anna's  death,  in  the  piazza, 
musing  on  her  fate.  This  had  been  a  favorite  spot  and  favorite 
hour  with  Duncan.  Throwing  aside  books,  he  taught  me  from 
the  great  book  of  nature :  he  had  anticipated  such  moments  as 
the  present  for  me  ;  he  had  told  me  of  the  probability  of  crushed 
affections  and  blighted  hopes.  He  drew  morals  from  surround 
ing  objects ;  for,  even  from  the  vacancy  and  barrenness  of  a 
pine-land  settlement,  his  mind  extracted  instruction — his  rich 


SOUTHERN     MATRON.  181 

mind,  whoso  spiritual  chemistry  could  convert  earth's  vapors 
into  heaven-tinged  clouds  .  and  now  those  clouds,  hidden  to  my 
eyes  by  the  recent  glare  of  worldly  fashion,  came  rolling  back  in 
their  mellowed  brightness.  Beautiful  force  of  virtue,  which, 
though  sunk  beneath  life's  horizon,  throws  up  its  rays  long  after 
its  orb  has  disappeared  !  and  let  not  the  good  spirits  who  labor 
on  the  ground  of  the  human  heart  be  discouraged;  the  seed  will 
take  root,  some  blessed  words  will  shoot  down  into  the  soil  of 
the  affections,  and  spring  up  in  after-years. 

There  is  something  picturesque  in  the  evening  hour  at  a  pine- 
land  village.  A  few  trees  are  cleared  away,  affording  just  suffi 
cient  room  for  a  house,  whose  white-washed  palings  contrast 
prettily  with  the  dark  hue  of  the  pine ;  from  ten  to  thirty  of 
these  constitute  a  village,  where  planters  reside  during  the  sum 
mer  months.  A  fire  is  kindled  at  twilight,  of  brush  or  light- 
wood  knots,  near  every  house,  which,  while  it  drives  away  insects 
gives  a  cheerful  illumination  to  the  scene. 

These  lights  had  just  begun  to  blaze,  one  by  one,  in  the  grow 
ing  shadows  of  night,  while  the  paler  hue  of  summer  lightning 
broke  in  fitful  lustre  between  the  trees.  Here  and  there  might 
be  seen  a  negro,  his  dusky  form  in  full  relief  against  the  glare 
of  the  blazing  light ;  or  young  ones,  dancing  and  singing  around 
the  fire,  presenting  grotesque  images  of  thoughtless  happiness ; 
or  a  procession  of  neighbors,  preceded  by  linkboys,  passing  for  a 
festival  or  a  religious  service  ;  while  their  cheerful  human 
sounds  broke  pleasantly  the  song  of  the  night-bird,  or  the  un 
wearied  talk  of  the  winds  in  the  pine-tops. 

As  I  mused  deeply,  with  my  head  resting  on  the  window-sill,  a 
string  of  Anna's  guitar  broke  within.  How  trifles  sometimes 
touch  the  soul !  I  lived  an  age  in  the  little  time  until  its  awa 
kened  vibrations  died  away  in  silence  ;  but  they  did  die,  and 
grief  gathered  up  its  unexhausted  stores,  and  I  wept. 


182  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

An  approaching  step  made  me  dry  my  tears,  but  they  flowed 
again,  for  it  was  Marion's — he  who  had  seen  our  Anna  en 
throned  on  love's  temple,  breathing  the  atmosphere  of  hope  and 

j°y- 

And  Marion,  God  be  thanked,  destroyed  not  the  precious 
lesson  of  affliction  which  the  Father  wisely  sent  for  his  untu 
tored  child ;  no  light  or  careless  word  from  him  won  me  back  to 
earth ;  the  glow  of  religious  thought  was  in  his  eye — a  holy 
consolation  in  his  reasoning.  He  drew  me  away  from  Anna's 
grave — from  its  loneliness  and  deaay,  but  not  to  the  world :  not 
to  that  broken  cistern,  but  to  the  spiritual  fountain  of  Christian 
faith. 

Let  young  men  be  careful  of  woman's  highest  interests.  In 
those  moments  of  prepossession  when  her  heart  and  mind  in 
stinctively  turn  to  model  themselves  on  his,  whom  Grod  has  made 
of  stronger  fabric,  let  him  not  sap  those  foundations  of  religious 
trust  which  may  hereafter  be  dearer  to  him  than  her  young  love 
liness,  and  which,  when  that  loveliness  has  faded  in  the  dust, 
will  bloom  and  ripen  in  a  better  world. 

Marion  breathed  not  a  word  of  love  or  preference,  but  I  felt 
elevated  by  his  sympathy,  by  the  thought  that  he  considered  me 
worthy  of  it ;  and  when  he  departed  that  evening  there  was  a 
rustling  as  of  happy  wings  unfolding  in  my  inmost  heart,  and  I 
was  comforted. 

But  still  my  spirit^  and  health  failed  uirder  the  immediate 
influence  of  Anna's  loss,  and  papa,  believing  that  our  retire 
ment  rather  increased  than  softened  my  regrets,  proposed  a 
change  to  Sullivan's  Island.  Springland  was  but  too  obnoxious 
to  the  common  charge  against  pine-land  settlements,  extreme 
dulness  or  extreme  dissipation.  There  were  there,  as  there  are 
everywhere  else,  well-tempered  minds  preserving  the  equilib 
rium  of  virtue,  but  it  is  almost  impossible  to  secure  a  conmiu- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  183 

nity  from  dangerous  habits  in  a  territory,  realizing  in  its  monot 
ony  the  satirical  description  of  an  American  poet : — 

"  Where  to  the  north — pine-trees  in  prospect  rise, 
Where  to  the  south — pine-trees  assail  the  skies, 
Where  to  the  east— pine-trees  obstruct  the  view, 
Where  to  the  west — pine-trees  forever  grew." 

The  planter  misses  the  wide  range  of  his  fields,  and  his  wife 
and  daughters  the  bustle  of  the  city.  Happy  they,  under  these 
circumstances,  who  shun,  on  one  hand,  the  unhallowed  amuse 
ments  of  associated  pleasure-hunters,  and  the  chilling  influence 
of  seclusion  on  the  other. 

How  often  have  I  blessed  my  needle  for  rescuing  me  from 
the  temptations  which  assail  the  other  sex. 

Bright  and  innocent  little  implement,  whether  plied  over 
tasteful  luxuries,  or  gaming  the  poor  pittance  of  a  day,  thou  art 
equally  the  friend  of  her  whose  visions  tend  to  wander  amid  the 
regions  of  higher  abstractions,  and  of  her  whose  thoughts  are 
pinned  down  to  the  tread-mill  of  thy  minute  progress.  Quiet 
rescuer  from  clubs  and  midnight  revels,  amid  the  minor  bles 
sings  of  woman's  lot,  thou  shalt  not  be  forgotten  !  Still  come, 
and  let  thy  fairy  wand  shine  on  her  ;  still  lend  an  ambitious  joy 
to  the  playthings  of  the  girl ;  still  move  unconsciously  under 
the  glittering  smile  of  the  maiden  planning  thy  triumphant  re 
sults  ;  still  beguile  the  mother  whose  thought  roves  to  her  boy 
on  the  distant  ocean,  or  the  daughter  watching  by  the  sick-bed 
of  one  who  has  heretofore  toiled  for  her ;  still  soothe  the  long, 
dreary  moments  of  faithful  love  ;  and,  though  a  tear  sometimes 
fall  on  thy  shining  point,  it  shall  not  gather  the  rust  of  despair, 
since  employment  is  thy  dower. 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

SULLIVAN'S  ISLAND. 

"  Thus,  thus  the  sunny  day  went  by, 

And  night  came  brooding  o'er  the  seas  ; 
A  thick  cloud  swarthed  the  distant  sky, 
And  hollow  murmurs  fill'd  the  breeze." 

S.  G.  GOODRICH. 

"  A  whirling  ocean  now  fills  the  wall 

Of  the  crystal  heaven,  and  buries  all ; 
And  I,  cut  off  from  the  world,  remain 
Alone  with  the  terrible  hurricane." 

BRYANT. 

THERE  are  no  two  scenes  more  widely  different  than  a  pine- 
land  settlement  and  Sullivan's  Island.  The  hum  of  business 
or  pleasure  now  sounds  at  the  Cove,  but  the  more  remote  part 
of  it  is  lonely  in  the  extreme.  A  plantation  is  solitary  ;  shut 
out  from  the  noise  of  the  world,  surrounded  by  a  vast  amphi 
theatre  of  trees,  its  occupants  see  little  but  the  wide  fields 
around,  the  graduated  foliage  in  the  distance,  and  the  over-arch 
ing  sky ;  but  then  the  large  negro  family  is  there,  claiming  and 
giving,  in  a  thousand  ways,  human  recognition.  A  pine-land 
village  is  secluded ;  files  of  trees  shut  out  there  even  the  sky ; 
the  world  is  heard  not ;  the  resident  rises  to  a  monotonous 
routine,  and  sleeps  but  to  rise  for  the  same  quiet  duties,  or 
thrice-told  pleasures  ;  but  still  the  habitations  cluster  in  com 
parative  nearness :  the  night  fire  blazes  cheerfully  ;  and  oh, 
how  faithfully  does  kind  neighborhood  come  forth  in  sickness, 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  185 

and  tell  the  sufferer  he  is  not  in  solitude.  But  there  is  little 
to  soften  the  loneliness  of  the  more  remote  residences  on  Moul- 
trieville.  Our  dwelling  stood  alone,  on  a  sandy  eminence,  with 
the  broad  beach  in  the  front  distance,  and  wild  myrtles  scantily 
rising  as  a  dwarf  shrubbery  behind.  Nothing  was  to  be  heard 
but  the  dreamy  dashing  of  the  waves,  or  the  curlew's  cry ; 
nothing  seen  but  what  the  ocean  offered — the  porpoise  raising 
its  unwieldy  form  in  the  waters,  the  passing  sail,  whose  distance 
rather  adds  to  the  feeling  of  separation  from  human  ties,  and 
the  sea-bird  winging  its  unwearied  flight. 

Yet  in  this  solitude  I  breathed  a  free  spiritual,  as  well  as 
physical  atmosphere.  I  communed  with  the  winds,  and  the 
waves,  and  the  stars,  and  they  gave  back  answers  to  my  heart, 
thrilling,  yet  sobering.  It  was  a  joy  to  stand  on  the  beach, 
and  see  the  setting  sun  with  its  glow  of  glory  lighting  up  sky 
and  sea ;  to  note  the  stars,  as  day  declined,  marshalled  in  their 
shining  courses,  at  first  singly,  then  in  countless  numbers  ;  to 
watch  the  light-house  beacon,  man's  faint  competitor  with  those 
higher  watches  ;  to  see  the  young  moon  rising  with  faint  cres 
cent,  beautiful  as  growing  youth  ;  to  note  its  progress  night  by 
night,  until  it  burst  in  silvery  radiance,  making  the  dark  waves 
glorious.  And  it  was  a  joy  to  feel  in  my  inmost  soul  a  capacity 
to  appreciate  what  was  great  and  fair,  to  rise  in  bright  abstrac 
tions,  and  throw  from  me  all  that  was  earthly,  and  feel  that  my 
higher  powers  would  thus  brilliantly  light  up,  when  the  mortal 
part  should  moulder  in  the  grave ;  to  clasp  my  hands  in  unut- 
tered  prayer,  to  weep  tears  of  sacred  happiness.  This  was  the 
privilege  of  my  new  solitude,  and  my  soul  grew  in  the  process  j 
it  was  part  of  the  heavenly  training  by  which,  I  trust,  God  is 
leading  me  to  a  more  spiritual  existence.  This  is  not  romance  ; 
it  is  the  feeling  of  youth,  and  will  be  understood  by  minds  not 
yet  fettered  by  the  world. 


186  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

There  were  other  pleasures  at  the  island  not  so  elevating,  but 
more  social  and  almost  defying  solitude.  I  loved  to  see  my 
brothers  and  the  young  negroes  revelling  in  the  waves,  as  Rover, 
intoxicated  with  delight,  now  dashing  into  the  water,  now  shak 
ing  his  dripping  sides,  seemed  to  feel  himself  the  monarch  of  the 
scene,  while  little  Patsey,  carried  by  her  maumer,  dipped  her  dim 
pled  feet  into  the  shallow  wave  ;  then,  clinging  to  her  nurse's  neck, 
uttered  a  cry,  half  fear,  half  joy  ;  then  grew  more  bold,  until, 
with  a  shuddering  delight,  she  permitted  the  coming  waves  to 
dash  her  limbs,  gleaming  through  the  element  like  a  rose-tinged 
shell. 

Then  what  joyous  shouts  went  up  from  the  beach  from  the 
boys'  games,  the  skipping  rope,  the  bounding  ball,  the  kite,  while 
I  searched  for  shells,  or  wrote,  in  idle  musings,  names  on  the 
level  sands,  or  rode  on  horseback  on  the  sea-washed  plain, 
where  the  fresh  breeze  in  my  face  inspired  health  and  spirits. 

But  life's  pictures  are  not  all  sunny  ;  clouds  will  gather, 
storms  must  rise,  and  whirlwinds  sweep  over  our  path. 

There  came  occasionally  from  town  to  visit  us  an  old  military 
friend  of  my  grandfather's.  It  was  a  great  pleasure  to  us  to 
hear  Captain  Hyam's  stories,  to  stroll  about  the  island,  as  he 
painted  out  scenes  of  historical  interest ;  and  it  was  a  touching 
sight  to  see  an  old  man,  on  that  spot  sacred  to  so  many  patriotic 
associations,  leading  the  boys'  young  minds  from  their  sports  to 
their  country's  story. 

One  afternoon  we  strolled  to  the  cove  to  observe  the  arrival 
of  the  packet  boats,  bringing  from  the  city  their  customary 
motley  group.  There  were  reclining  invalids,  with  their  eyes 
shooting  a  sudden  brilliancy,  as  the  sea-breeze  swept  over  their 
languid  brows  ;  sickly  infants,  seizing  the  first  relished  morsel ; 
the  happy  and  healthy,  who  would  fain  add  another  tinge  to  a 
blooming  cheek.  There  was  the  mechanic,  generously  recreat- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  187 

ing  his  industrious  family,  the  professional  man  escaping  from 
the  stifling  court-room,  the  chamber  of  disease,  or  the  secluded 
study,  to  feel  the  Atlantic  breeze,  untainted  by  human  breathing, 
and  gaze  on  the  clear  heavens  and  unfettered  sea.  I  will  not 
enter  on  this  innocent  catalogue  those  whose  motives  are  gross 
and  impure ;  the  sensualist  and  the  gambler,  who  dare  to  sojourn 
where  God's  mercies  rush  by  in  purifying  love,  and  whose  stag 
nant  souls  are  untouched  with  sensibility  by  the  wave  or  the 
breeze. 

The  younger  passengers,  scattered  in  various  parties,  shouted 
in  the  fulness  of  excitement  as  they  gained  the  front  beach ; 
shoes  and  stockings  were  doffed,  pantaloons  rolled  up,  and,  fol 
lowed  by  their  colored  attendants,  they  sang  and  danced  in  the 
coming  and  retreating  waves. 

How  happy  were  they  all ;  true,  there  were  no  hills  rising  in 
magnificence  to  meet  the  sky ;  no  sloping  fields  winding  grace 
fully  to  the  shore ;  no  rocks  stationed  like  guardians  round  the 
coast ;  but  there  was  enough  that  was  beautiful  and  glorious  for 
the  old.  exciting  and  cheering  to  the  young.  Generous  boys 
and  gentle  girls  in  innocent  joy  resorted  there,  gathered  rough 
shells,  and  threw  them  in  the  dark  waters ;  greeted  their  con 
scious  dog  as  he  came  dripping, with  some  prize, from  the  surge; 
wrote  sweet  names  on  the  beach ;  ran  and  shouted  in  careless 
laughter  against  the  breeze,  or  mused  on  those  thoughts  which 
come  even  to  childhood  from  the  bounding  sea. 

Captain  Hyam  was  one  of  the  passengers,  and  our  boys  en 
gaged  him  for  a  shooting  ramble  to  the  curlew-ground,  while  I 
wondered  how  they  could  have  the  heart  to  disturb  the  flight 
of  the  birds  in  their  aerial  processions,  now  mingling  as  if  for 
consultation,  now  extending  in  a  pencilled  line,  lengthening,  until 
lost  in  the  viewless  air.  I  remonstrated  against  destroying 
them,  and  won  my  cause,  by  attaching  to  the  captain's  watch  a 


188  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

riband,  on  which  I  had  wrought,  in  gold  letters,  28th  June 
1776. 

Our  good  old  friend  consented  to  remain  with  us,  and  we 
lingered  on  the  beach,  so  delicious  in  its  coolness  after  a  sultry 
day.  Nature  was  as  bright  as  our  feelings.  A  few  large,  pil 
lowy  clouds  rested  beneath  the  heavens,  softening,  but  not  ob 
scuring  the  declining  autumnal  sun ;  the  city,  with  its  spires, 
rose  in  the  distance ;  the  light-house,  beautiful  emblem  of  hope 
and  safety,  towered  on  one  side ;  and  on  the  other  the  main, 
with  its  level  verdure,  seemed  like  a  fringe  of  green  on  the  azure 
horizon.  Pleasure-boats  were  darting  from  the  cove,  the  rock 
ing  skiflf  of  the  fisherman  lay  easily  on  the  waves,  and  the  ma 
jestic  merchantman  passed  through  the  channel  with  its  freighted 
stores. 

Some  there  were  who,  on  that  day,  had  looked  with  prescient 
fear  on  the  clouds  and  fancied  evil,  and  the  accustomed  ear  de 
tected  the  roar  of  a  distant  swell  upon  the  ocean. 

The  clouds  rapidly  deepened  at  twilight,  and  the  wind  rose, 
but  we  closed  the  shutters,  and  gathered  round  our  evening 
lamp  without  alarm.  As  we  sat  chatting  at  the  table,  a  sudden 
gust  shook  our  dwelling,  and  a  drizzling  rain  began  to  fall ;  it 
increased  ;  in  an  hour  it  poured  in  torrents,  and  the  building 
rocked  like  an  infant's  cradle.  A  sudden  silence  prevailed, 
among  our  circle,  and  we  spoke  low,  or  uttered  strong  ejacula 
tions.  I  was  fearfully  alarmed ;  and  as  each  gust  came,  with 
its  roaring  accompaniment  of  angry  waves,  I  could  scarcely  re 
strain  my  cry.  I  felt  the  blood  rush  to  my  heart ;  my  eyes 
seemed  starting  from  their  sockets,  and  I  covered  them  with 
my  hands  to  shut  out,  if  I  could,  the  threat  of  nature. 

Suddenly  the  recollection  of  Charles  Duncan's  teachings  of 
God  in  his  providence  came  to  my  mind.  I  remembered  how 
he  had  once  gently  drawn  iny  hands  from  my  eyes,  and  told  me 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  189 

that  Heaven's  best  messages  were  sometimes  heralded  by  storms. 
I  remembered  this,  and  the  spirit's  prayer  was  awakened,  and  a 
trust  in  God  followed  like  a  brooding  wing,  spreading  itself 
over  my  fluttering  heart,  and  though  I  trembled,  I  was  calm. 

A  knocking  at  the  door  was  heard  in  a  pause  of  the  wind, 
and  two  individuals  hurried  in  drenched  with  rain. 

'•  How  fortunate,"  exclaimed  one,  advancing,  and  panting  with 
his  efforts,  "  to  find  you.  My  friend  and  I  were  seeking  his 
house  in  vain,  and  your  piazza  light  guided  us  here." 

It  was  Marion,  and  for  a  while  I  forgot  the  storm.  But  it 
approached,  and  rose  and  rose  like  some  living  monster  pre 
paring  itself  for  a  death-struggle,  until  the  waves  lifted  the 
piazza.  It  was  no  longer  safe,  and  we  looked  abroad  in  despera 
tion,  while  our  voices  could  scarcely  be  heard  amid  the  roar  of 
the  elements.  Moving  masses  of  ruins  were  seen  floating  on 
the  white  foam  ;  beyond,  all  was  intense  darkness.  Collecting 
the  servants,  we  resolved  to  leave  the  house  by  the  back  en 
trance,  as  yet  not  reached  by  the  tide,  and  attempt  to  gain  the 
fort.  Our  dear  little  Patsey.  still  sleeping  in  the  arms  of  her 
nurse  Binah,  a  strong  and  active  woman,  was  in  the  centre  of 
the  group.  The  darkness  seemed  supernatural,  and  we  soon 
approached  a  gully,  where  the  tide  was  rushing  on  to  intercept 
our  way.  For  a  short  time  a  shout,  a  word  of  encouragement, 
a  faint  jest  had  been  heard,  but  this  was  now  hushed  ;  there  was 
an  awful  pause,  too,  in  the  elements  ;  it  seemed  that  nature  was 
preparing  a  nervous  heave ;  and  clinging  to  each  other,  we 
thought  to  die  together.  It  came — the  gale  rushed  with  ten 
thousand  voices,  thundering  on,  roaring  and  raging  over  burst 
ing  waves ;  we  clung  to  each  other  still  more  firmly,  but  we 
were  parted  as  easily  as  gossamer  tufts  in  the  south  winds  of 
summer.  One  arm  I  still  felt  grasping  mine  with  a  nervous 
force,  one  voice  was  left  to  me,  and  it  said,  "  We  must  think  of 


190  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

death — it  is  at  hand :  prayer  is  not  new  to  us,  my  dear  Miss 
Wilton  ;  God  will  hear  us  now." 

We  groped  in  the  darkness,  but  rather  sought  to  return  than 
advance,  for  we  could  see  by  the  moving  foam  that  water  was 
before  us.  We  reached  a  building  and  ascended  the  steps ;  it 
was  my  own  home,  and  no  longer  in  danger,  for  the  wind  nad 
changed,  and  to  the  waves  had  been  said,  Thus  far  shall  ye  go 
and  no  farther.  But  I  felt  bereaved  and  desolate ;  there  stood 
the  remnant  of  our  evening  meal ;  and  the  candles,  lighted  in  so 
much  mirth,  glimmered  dimly  in  the  wind  that  still  rushed 
through  the  crevices.  I  wept,  I  prayed,  and  the  night  passed 
by,  oh,  how  slowly  ! 

The  morning  rose,  and  the  sun  shone  down  on  that  scene 
of  desolation.  One  servant  never  was  found,  but  the  other 
members  of  the  family  had  been  variously  preserved.  Some 
fishermen,  at  the  early  dawn,  in  ascertaining  the  fate  of  their 
craft,  perceived  one  of  their  boats  high  on  the  sand,  capsized,  and 
resting  on  some  timbers.  They  raised  it,  and  there  lay  Patsey, 
our  little  cherub,  wrapped  in  her  nurse's  apron,  and  sleeping  in 
her  arms. 

But  our  venerable  friend  was  gone.  Amid  the  sad  revela 
tions  of  that  day,  his  form  was  recognized,  but  his  sleep  was  the 
sleep  of  death.  Grasping  his  hickory  cane,  his  gray  hairs  wet 
with  surf,  lay  the  veteran  on  the  beach.  We  looked  at  him 
with  tearful  eyes ;  and  as  the  soldiers  of  the  fort  raised  him  in 
their  arms,  the  sun  shone  on  his  watch-chain,  and  the  date  of 
1776  renewed  our  tears. 

A  mournful  and  respectful  train  wound  its  way,  with  military 
honors,  by  the  curlew-ground,  to  the  myrtles  ;  the  muffled  drum 
mingling  with  air  and  sea,  and  the  minute  guns  with  sad  pre 
cision  told  the  tread  of  death. 

Fit  was  the  burial.     Let  the  worldling  be  laid  amid  the  city's 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  191 

hum,  let  the  babe  and  the  maiden  rest  beneath  the  green  turf, 
and  flowers  blossom  over  their  grave,  but  the  heroes  of  the 
South — where  can  they  find  a  better  monument  than  those  hal 
lowed  sands,  or  a  holier  dirge  than  that  which  sweeps  over  the 
spot  sacred  to  our  early  fame? 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

THE    PEDLEK. 

"  Servant. — Oh,  master,  if  you  did  but  hear  the  pedler  at  the  door !    He  hath  ribands 
of  all  colors  of  the  rainbow ;  he  has  the  prettiest  love-songs  for  maids ! 
"  Jlutolicus.— And  you  shall  pay  well  for  'em.     [Aside. 
Will  you  buy  any  tape, 
Or  lace  for  your  cape, 
My  dainty  cluck,  my  dear  a? 
Any  silk  and  thread, 
And  toys  for  your  head 
Of  the  new'st  and  fln'st  wear-a  ? 
Come  to  the  pedler  ; 
Money's  a  meddler, 
That  doth  utter  all  men's  wear-a. 

Winter's  Tale. 

ROSELAND  once  more  assumed  an  air  of  elegance  and  com 
fort  ;  we  resumed  our  old  habits,  brushed  up  and  re-gilt  like  the 
portraits  of  my  grandparents,  which  were  again  suspended  from 
the  walls  ;  the  friend  was  welcomed,  the  stranger  sheltered.  I 
must  confess  there  was  a  little  less  ease  than  formerly,  for  every 
thing  was  new.  Who  has  not  in  his  life  been  checked  and 
restrained  by  the  constantly-recurring  exclamations,  uttered  in 
a  tone  of  tartness, 

"  My  dear,  take  care  of  that  paint !  My  love,  don't  touch 
those  clean  things  !  My  sweet  child,  pick  up  those  groundnut- 
shells  !  My  darling,  why  will  you  let  Rover  track  the  clean 
floors  ?" 

This  state  of  bondage  to  cleanliness  lasted  not  long,  how- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  193 

ever,  at  Roseland.  Gradually  the  children  were  seen  eating 
their  sweet-potatoes  at  all  hours ;  the  sight  of  Ben's  powder- 
horn  and  fishing-tackle  excited  no  nervous  alarm  ;  my  music- 
books  were  allowed  to  be  in  angular  instead  of  parallel  lines, 
and  I  was  permitted  to  romp  out  of  the  nursery  with  Patsey, 
while  the  house  assumed  that  delicious  position,  where  an  air 
of  general  neatness  prevails,  without  a  slavish  attention  to  mi 
nute  wants,  or  a  perpetual  dread  of  doing  or  touching  some 
thing  wrong. 

I  was  amusing  myself,  one  morning,  by  seeing  Patsey's  ef 
forts  to  get  her  big  toe  into  her  mouth,  as  she  lay  upon  the 
floor,  for  her  figure  was  too  rotund  to  admit  of  walking.  Puck 
ering  up  her  red  lips  with  as  intense  an  interest  as  if  the  world 
depended  on  the  effort,  she  at  length  succeeded,  and  smacked 
them  with  a  flavorous  relish.  As  I  began  to  frolic  with  her, 
she  showed  her  teeth,  white  as  rice-grains,  and  her  round,  fresh 
laugh  rang  out  in  musical  peals  ;  at  length  I  jumped  over  her. 
Binah,  her  nurse,  caught  me  by  the  arm  in  anger,  exclaiming, 

"  What  for  you  ben  walk  over  my  child*  Miss  Neely  ?  Just 
go  back  same  fashion,  or  my  child  an't  gauin  for  grow  no  more 
agen." 

I  was  really  obliged  to  skip  back  to  pacify  her,  but  I  soon 
offended  anew  by  snatching  her  from  her  nurse's  arms  through 
the  open  window,  as  I  stood  on  the  piazza. 

"  My  lor,  Miss  Neely,"  cried  her  nurse,  "  how  you  ben  do 
sich  a  ting  !  Put  Miss  Patsey  straight  back  ;  if  you  carry 
him  trou  one  door  fore  you  ben  put  'em  back,  he  just  keep  hetle 
so!" 

It  would  be  interesting  to  know  the  origin  of  these  and  other 
superstitions.  Perhaps  they  have  some  more  rational  begin- 

*  This  appellation  is  constantly  given  by  negro  nurses  to  the  white 
children  under  their  care. 

9 


194  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

ning  than  is  dreamed  of  in  our  philosophy.  No  nurse  at  the 
South  will  allow  a  child  to  be  carried  to  a  looking-glass  before 
it  is  a  month  old,  and  its  infant  sneeze  must  never  be  unan 
swered  by  ':  God  bless  you." 

A  little  incident  soon  occurred  to  break  the  retirement  of 
Hoseland. 

Every  man  has  some  peculiar  taste  or  preference,  and,  I 
think,  though  papa  dressed  with  great  elegance,  his  was  a  deci 
ded  love  of  his  old  clothes ;  his  garments,  like  his  friends,  be 
came  dearer  to  him  from  their  wear  and  tear  in  his  service,  and 
they  were  deposited  successively  in  his  dressing-room,  though 
mamma  thought  them  quite  unfit  for  him.  He  averred  that  he 
required  his  old  hunting-suits  for  accidents  ;  his  summer-jackets 
and  vests,  though  faded,  were  the  coolest  in  the  world  ;  his 
worm-eaten  but  warm  roquelaure  was  admirable  for  riding  about 
the  fields,  &c.  In  vain  mamma  represented  the  economy  of 
cutting  up  some  for  the  boys,  and  giving  others  to  the  servants  ; 
he  would  not  consent,  nor  part  with  articles  in  which  he  said 
he  felt  at  home.  Qften  did  mamma  remonstrate  against  the 
dressing-room's  looking  like  a  haberdasher's  shop  ;  often  did 
she  take  down  a  coat,  hold  it  up  to  the  light,  and  show  him  per 
forations  that  would  have  honored  New-Orleans  or  Waterloo  ; 
often,  while  Chloe  was  flogging  the  pantaloons,  which  ungallantly 
kicked  in  return,  did  she  declare  that  it  was  a  sin  and  a  shame 
for  her  master  to  have  such  things  in  the  house  ;  still  the  anti- 
cherubic  shapes  accumulated  on  the  nails  and  hooks,  and  were 
even  considered  as  of  sufficient  importance  to  be  preserved  from 
the  fire  at  the  burning  of  Roseland. 

Our  little  circle  about  this  time  was  animated  by  a  visit  from 
a  pedler.  As  soon  as  he  was  perceived  crossing  the  lawn  with 
a  large  basket  on  his  arm,  and  a  bundle  slung  across  a  stick  on 
his  shoulder,  a  stir  commenced  in  the  house.  Mamma  assumed 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  195 

an  air  of  importance  and  responsibility ;  I  felt  a  pleasurable 
excitement ;  Chloe's  and  Flora's  eyes  twinkled  with  expecta 
tion  ;  while,  from  different  quarters,  the  house  servants  en 
tered,  standing  with  eyes  -  and  mouth  silently  open,  as  the  ped- 
ler,  after  depositing  his  basket  and  deliberately  untying  his 
bundle,  offered  his  goods  to  our  inspection.  He  was  a  stout 
man,  with  a  dark  complexion,  pitted  with  the  small-pox,  and 
spoke  in  a  foreign  accent.  I  confess  that  I  yielded  myself  to 
the  pleasure  of  purchasing  some  gewgaws,  which  I  afterward 
gave  to  Flora,  while  mamma  looked  at  the  glass  and  plated 
ware. 

"  Ver  sheap,"  said  the  pedler,  following  her  eye,  and  taking 
up  a  pair  of  glass  pitchers  ;  "  only  two  dollar — sheap  as  dirt. 
If  te  lady  hash  any  old  closhes,  it  is  petter  as  money." 

Mamma  took  the  pitchers  in  her  hand  with  an  inquisitorial 
air,  balanced  them,  knocked  them  with  her  small  knuckles — 
they  rang  as  clear  as  a  bell — examined  the  glass — there  was 
not  a  flaw  in  it.  Chloe  went  through  the  same  process  ;  they 
looked  significantly  at  each  other,  nodded,  set  the  pitchers  on 
the  slab,  and  gave  a  little  approbatory  cough. 

"  They  are  certainly  very  cheap,"  said  mamma. 

"  They  is,  for  true,  my  mistress,"  said  Chloe,  with  solemnity, 
"  and  more  handsomer  than  Mrs.  Whitney's  that  she  gin  six 
dollars  for  at  Charleston." 

"  Chloe,"  said  mamma,  "  were  not  those  pantaloons  you  were 
shaking  to-day  quite  shrunk  and  worn  out  ?" 

"  Yes,  ma'am,"  said  she  ;  "  and  they  don't  fit  no  how.  The 
last  time  the  Colonel  wore  them  he  seemed  quite  onrestless." 

"  Just  step  up,"  said  her  mistress,  "  and  bring  them  down  ; 
but  stay — what  did  you  say  was  the  price  of  these  candlesticks, 
sir  ?" 

"  Tish  only  von  dollars ;  but  tish  more  sheaper  for  te  old 


196  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

closhes.  If  te  lady  will  get  te  old  closhes,  I  will  put  in  te  pel- 
lows  and  te  prush,  and  it  ish  more  sheaper,  too." 

Chloe  and  mamma  looked  at  each  other,  and  raised  their 
eyebrows. 

"  I  will  just  step  up  and  see  those  pantaloons,"  said  mamma, 
in  a  consulting  tone.  "  It  will  be  a  mercy  to  the  colonel  to 
clear  out  some  of  that  rubbish.  I  am  confident  he  can  never 
wear  the  pantaloons  again  ;  they  are  rubbed  in  the  knees,  and 
require  seating,  and  he  never  will  wear  seated  pantaloons. 
These  things  are  unusually  cheap,  and  the  colonel  told  me  lately 
we  were  in  want  of  a  few  little  matters  of  this  sort."  Thus  say 
ing,  with  a  significant  whisper  to  me  to  watch  the  pedler,  she 
disappeared  with  Chloe. 

They  soon  returned,  Chloe  bearing  a  variety  of  garments,  for 
mamma  had  taken  the  important  premier  pas.  The  pantaloons 
were  first  produced.  The  pedler  took  them  in  his  hand,  which 
flew  up  like  an  empty  scale,  to  show  how  light  they  were  ;  he 
held  them  up  to  the  sun,  and  a  half  contemptuous  smile  crossed 
his  lips ;  then  shaking  his  head,  he  threw  them  down  beside  his 
basket.  A  drab  overcoat  was  next  inspected,  and  was  also 
thrown  aside  with  a  doubtful  expression. 

"  Mr.  Pedler,"  said  mamma,  in  a  very  soft  tone,  "  you  must 
allow  me  a  fair  price  ;  these  are  excellent  articles." 

"  Oh,  ver  fair,"  said  he,  "  but  te  closhes  ish  not  ver  goot  ;  te 
closhesman  is  not  going  to  give  me  noting  for  dish,"  and  he  laid 
a  waistcoat  on  the  other  two  articles. 

Mamma  and  Chloe  had  by  this  time  reached  the  depths  of 
the  basket,  and,  with  sympathetic  exclamations,  arranged  several 
articles  on  the  slab. 

"  You  will  let  me  have  these  pitchers,"  said  mamma,  with  a 
look  of  concentrated  resolution,  "  for  that  very  nice  pair  of  pan 
taloons." 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  197 

The  pedler  gave  a  short  whistle  expressive  of  contempt,  shook 
his  head,  and  said,  "  Tish  not  possibles.  I  will  give  two  pisher 
and  von  prush  for  te  pantaloon  and  waistcoat." 

Mamma  and  Chloe  glanced  at  each  other  and  at  me  ;  I  was 
absorbed  in  my  own  bargains,  and  said,  carelessly,  that  the 
pitchers  were  perfect  beauties.  Chloe  pushed  one  pitcher  a 
little  forward,  mamma  pushed  the  other  on  a  parallel  line,  then 
poised  a  decanter,  and  again  applied  her  delicate  knuckles  for 
the  test.  That,  too,  rang  out  the  musical,  unbroken  sound,  so 
dear  to  the  housewife's  ear,  and,  with  a  pair  of  plated  candle 
sticks,  was  deposited  on  the  table.  The  pedler  took  up  the 
drab  overcoat. 

"  Te  closhesman's  give  noting  for  dish." 

Mamma  looked  disconcerted.  The  expression  of  her  face 
implied  the  fear  that  the  pedler  would  not  even  accept  it  as  a 
gift.  Chloe  and  she  held  a  whispering  consultation.  At  this 
moment  Binah  came  in  with  little  Patsey,  who,  seeing  the  arti 
cles  on  the  slab,  pointed  with  her  dimpled  fingers,  and  said  her 
only  words, 

"  Pretty  !  pretty  !" 

At  the  same  moment,  Lafayette  and  Yenus,  the.  two  little 
novices  in  furniture-rubbing,  exclaimed, 

"  Ki !  if  dem  ting  an't  shine  too  much  !" 

These  opinions  made  the  turning  point  in  mamma's  mind, 
though  coming  from  such  insignificant  sources. 

"  So  they  are  pretty,  my  darling,"  said  mamma  to  Patsey ; 
and  then,  turning  to  the  pedler,  she  asked  him  what  he  wonld 
give  in  exchange  for  the  pantaloons,  the  waistcoat,  and  the 
coat. 

The  pedler  set  aside  two  decanters,  one  pitcher,  the  plated 
candlesticks,  and  a  hearth-brush. 

"  Tish  ver  goot  pargains  for  te  lady,"  said  he. 


198  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

Mamma  gained  courage. 

"  I  cannot  think  of  letting  you  have  all  these  things  without 
something  more.  You  must  at  least  throw  in  that  little  tray," 
and  she  looked  at  a  small  scarlet  one,  worth  perhaps  a  quarter 
of  a  dollar. 

The  pedler  hesitated,  and  held  it  up  so  that  the  morning  sun 
shone  on  its  bright  hues. 

"  I  shall  not  make  a  bargain  without  that"  said  mamma, 
resolutely.  The  pedler  sighed,  and  laying  it  with  the  selected 
articles,  said, 

"  Tish  ver  great  pargains  for  te  lady." 

Mamma  smiled  triumphantly,  and  the  pedler,  tying  up  his 
bundle  and  slinging  his  stick,  departed  with  an  air  of  humility. 

Papa's  voice  was  soon  heard,  as  usual,  before  he  was  seen. 

"  Rub  down  Beauty,  Mark,  and  tell  Diggory  to  call  out  the 
hounds." 

There  was  a  slight  embarrassment  in  mamma's  manner  when 
he  entered,  mingled  with  the  same  quantity  of  bravado.  He  nod 
ded  to  her,  tapped  me  on  the  head  with  his  riding-whip,  gave 
Patsey  a  kiss  as  she  stretched  out  her  arms  to  him,  tossed  her 
in  the  air,  and,  returning  her  to  her  nurse,  was  passing  on. 

"  Do  stop,  colonel,"  said  mamma,  "  and  admire  my  bargains. 
See  this  cut  glass  and  plate  that  we  have  been  wishing  for,  to 
save  our  best  set." 

"  What,  this  trash  ?"  said  he,  pausing  a  moment  at  the  table 
— "  blown  glass  and  washed  brass  !  Who  has  been  fooling  you  ?" 
<u  Colonel,"  said  mamma,  coloring  highly,  "  how  can  you — " 

"  I  cannot  stop  a  minute,  now,  wife,"  said  he.  "  Jones  and 
Ferguson  are  for  a  hunt  to-day  !  They  are  waiting  at  Drake's 
corner.  It  looks  like  falling  weather,  and  my  old  drab  will 
come  in  well  to-day." 

Mamma  looked  frightened,  and  he  passed  on  up  stairs.     He 


SOUTHERN    MATKOJS.  199 

was  one  of  those  gentlemen  who  keep  a  house  alive,  as  the 
phrase  is,  whether  in  merriment  or  the  contrary,  and  we  were 
always  prepared  to  search  for  his  hat,  or  whip,  or  slippers, 
which  he  was  confident  he  put  in  their  places,  but  which,  by 
some  miracle,  were  often  in  opposite  directions.  Our  greatest 
trial,  however,  was  with  mamma's  and  his  spectacles,  for  they 
had  four  pairs  between  them — far-sighted  and  near-sighted. 
There  were,  indeed,  optical  delusions  practised  with  them ; 
for  when  papa  wanted  his,  they  were  hidden  behind  some 
pickle-jar ;  and  when  mamma  had  carefully  placed  hers  in 
her  key-basket,  they  were  generally  found  in  one  of  papa's  va 
rious  pockets  \  when  a  distant  object  was  to  be  seen,  he  was 
sure  to  mount  the  near-sighted,  and  cry  "  Pshaw !"  and  if  a 
splinter  was  to  be  taken  out,  nothing  could  be  found  but  the 
far-sighted  ones,  and  he  said  something  worse :  sometimes  all 
four  pairs  were  missing,  and  such  a  scampering  ensued ! 

We  now  heard  a  great  outcry  up  stairs.  "  Wife  !  Chloe  ! 
Cornelia  !  come  and  find  my  drab  coat !"  We  looked  at  each 
other  in  dismay,  but  papa  was  not  a  man  for  delay,  and  we 
obeyed  his  summons. 

"  Wife,"  said  he,  beating  aside  the  externals  of  man  that 
hung  about  his  dressing-room,  "  where  is  my  old  drab  coat?" 

Mamma  swallowed  as  if  a  dry  artichoke  was  in  her  throat, 
as  she  said,  slowly,  "  Why,  colonel,  you  know  you  had  not  worn 
that  coat  for  months,  and  as  you  have  another  one,  and  a  roque- 
laure,  and  the  coat  was  full  of  moth-holes,  I  exchanged  it  with 
the  pedler  for  cut  glass  and  plate." 

"  Cut  devils  !"  said  papa,  who  liked  to  soften  an  oath  by  com 
binations  ;  "  it  was  worth  twenty  dollars — yes,  more,  because  I 
felt  at  home  in  it.  I  hate  new  coats  as  I  do — " 

"  But,  colonel,"  interrupted  mamma,  "  you  did  not  see  the 
scarlet  tray,  and  the — " 


200  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

''•  Scarlet  nonsense  !"  shouted  papa  ;  "  I  believe,  if  they 
could,  women  would  sell  their  husbands  to  those  rascally  ped- 
lers  !" 

Beauty  and  the  hounds  were  now  pronounced  ready.  I  fol 
lowed  papa  to  the  piazza,  and  heard  his  wrath  rolling  off  as  he 
cantered  away. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

THE   DUEL. 

"  Some  fell  for  wrong  and  some  for  right, 
But  mony  bade  the  world  gude  night." 

ROBERT  BURNS. 

"  Such  I  hold  to  be  the  genuine  use  of  gunpowder,  that  it  makes  all  men  alike 
tall.  *  *  * 

"  With  respect  to  duels,  indeed,  I  have  my  own  ideas.  Few  things  in  this  so  surpris 
ing  world  strike  me  with  more  surprise.  Two  little  visual  spectra  of  men,  hovering 
with  insecure  enough  cohesion  in  the  midst  of  the  Unfathomable,  and  to  dissolve  there 
in,  at  any  rate,  very  soon,  make  pause  at  the  distance  of  twelve  paces  asunder,  whirl 
round,  and  simultaneously,  by  the  cunningest  mechanism,  explode  one  another  into 
dissolution." — Sartor  Rcsartus. 

IT  is  a  lovely  tie  that  unites  brothers  and  sisters,  when  the 
little  jealousies  of  childhood  are  past.  My  brothers  were  ex 
pected  from  college,  and  my  heart  beat  with  curiosity  and  love. 
I  practised  the  tunes  they  used  to  prefer,  decorating  their  bed 
rooms  with  such  trifling  articles  of  taste  as  the  country-house 
afforded,  ran  again  and  again  to  the  window  to  watch  their  ap 
proach  through  the  avenue,  and  glanced  at  the  mirror  to  see 
what  they  would  think  of  me.  They  came — John  was  unal 
tered,  though  of  firmer  fabric.  His  chestnut  curls  still  lay 
clustering  on  his  head  ;  he  still  idly  thrust  his  hand  through 
them ;  they  fluttered  as  they  were  wont  in  boyhood,  when  the 
winds  lifted  their  rich  masses,  and  shook  as  mirth  and  laughter 
stirred  his  frame.  His  saucy  eyes  still  looked  archly  into 
mine  ;  his  old  jests  were  renewed,  and  his  laugh  went  round 

9* 


202  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

like  a  spell,  while  his  teeth,  in  their  glittering  whiteness,  fairly 
fixed  our  eyes.  The  hounds  knew  his  whistle,  the  servants 
gathered  around  him  to  receive  the  cordial  shake  of  his  hand, 
and  every  uncle  and  aunty  on  the  plantation  was  remembered. 
There  was  a  mixture  of  good-will  and  vanity  in  all  that  he  did ; 
one  could  scarcely  say  which  preponderated. 

But  Richard — one  3ould  see  the  growth  of  soul  in  his  whole 
exterior.  His  forehead  had  enlarged,  and  seemed  bleached  by 
pure  intellect ;  his  light  thin  hair  floated  back  as  though  nothing 
should  come  between  his  mind-lit  brow  and  heaven.  He  was 
taller  than  John,  and  at  the  same  time  more  graceful  and  yield 
ing.  When  his  brother  laughed  he  only  smiled,  and  the  smile 
seemed  in  sympathy  for  John,  and  not  the  ruffling  of  his  serious 
spirit.  There  was  a  repose  about  him  that  called  one  away 
from  his  external  beauty,  of  which  he  seemed  unconscious,  to  his 
spiritual  nature,  the  sense  of  which  appeared  ever  present  with 
him;  not  that  power  which  the  world  calls  talent,  and  which 
sometimes  leads  to  vanity,  but  that  sense  of  a  connection  with  a 
higher  order  of  hidden  creation,  which  leads  to  a  holy  confi 
dence  in  the  Supreme  Good.  He  said  little  ;  but  when  he  spoke 
we  paused,  and  our  eyes  lingered  on  him  as  his  thoughts  played 
on  his  lips  after  the  voice  had  passed  away. 

I  could  not  be  weary  of  looking  at  the  manly  growth  of  my 
dear  brothers,  of  twining  John's  rebel  curls  on  my  finger,  or 
parting  the  silken  locks  from  Richard's  thoughtful  brow.  As 
evening  approached  we  sat  on  the  sofa,  hand  clasped  in  hand, 
while  mamma  looked  on  us  all  in  love  ;  or  I  felt  their  arms  en 
circle  me  as  they  gave  me  a  renewed  look  of  approving  curios 
ity,  or  we  listened  to  John's  list  of  college  troubles  and  college 
exploits,  and  I  glanced  into  Richard's  eyes  to  know  if  they  were 
true.  Papa  too,  his  old  reminiscences  brightening  up,  gave 
them  his  bygone  experience,  and  they  chatted  together  of  batter- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  203 

puddings,  whose  affinities  could  scarcely  be  conquered  by  a  re 
bound  from  the  floor  to  the  ceiling  ;  Indian  puddings,  faithful 
as  the  sun  in  their  daily  return  ;  rank  butter,  which  disclosed,  in 
its  almost  interminable  kegs,  every  evil  of  the  palate,  with 
scarcely  the  benefit  of  hope  at  the  bottom ;  milk,  which,  from 
its  color,  seemed  to  be  under  "  skyey  influences"  rather  than 
vegetable ;  coffee,  whose  geographical  experience  never  reached 
further  than  the  beet-bed  of  a  Yankee  garden  5  and  tea,  whose 
solutions  would  not  have  agitated  the  sensitive  nerves  of  "  Fine- 
ear,  who  could  hear  the  grass  grow."  Then  came  the  stale 
jokes  of  a  jest-book  substituted  for  the  president's  Bible  ;  of  the 
diffusion  of  hellebore  by  some  mischievous  wight  in  the  recita 
tion-room,  which  occasioned  the  whole  class,  tutor  and  all,  to 
burst  into  fits  of  inextinguishable  sneezing ;  of  the  rolling  of 
hot  iron  balls  down  entry  stairs,  to  be  taken  up  by  some  poor 
unsuspecting  martyr  proctor ;  of  all  sorts  of  fantastic  excuses 
offered  by  idle  and  ingenious  scholars  for  their  neglected  les 
sons,  disturbing  even  the  gravity  of  the  instructors ;  of  strange 
mistakes  committed  in  recitation,  some  intentional,  and  some 
unintentional,  but  all  equally  adapted  to  provoke  the  shout  of 
irresistible  laughter  ;  of  hairbreadth  escapes  and  impudent  sub 
terfuges  on  the  visits  of  tutors  to  noisy  rooms  ;  of  the  summon 
ing  of  two  or  three  frightened  freshmen  to  a  government  meet 
ing  of  sophomores  and  juniors,  dressed  up  in  their  gowns,  and 
the  awful  sentence  of  suspension  or  rustication  passed  upon  the 
trembling  and  believing  culprits ;  of  the  two.  three,  four,  or  five 
dollars,  according  to  the  merit  of  the  composition,  given  to  in 
digent  but  talented  scholars,  for  writing  themes,  and  forensics, 
and  commencement  parts  ;  of  a  thousand  other  exploits,  more 
adapted  to  a  volume  than  a  chapter ;  and  "  thrice  they  slew 
the  slain." 

John  fell  naturally  into  his  old  pursuits :  club  dinners,  fish- 


204  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

ing-parties,  and  the  chase  soon  occupied  his  leisure  momenta 
while  Richard  devoted  his  time  to  books  and  to  me.  I  soon 
perceived  that  the  name  of  Randolph,  a  cjassmate  and  neighbor 
who  had  returned  with  them,  was  painful  to  Richard.  Gradu 
ally,  as  we  read  together,  or  penetrated  our  old  haunts  on  horse 
back,  or  strolled  at  sunset,  kindling  up  our  common  sympathies 
at  the  altar  of  nature,  he  opened  his  heart  to  me.  Randolph 
had  insulted  him  on  the  voyage.  John,  in  his  ardent  and  care 
less  way,  had  tried  to  effect  a  reconciliation,  and  thought  he  had 
succeeded,  but  Richard  could  only  be  satisfied  by  an  apology. 
It  had  been  demanded  privately  since  his  return  and  refused, 
though  with  explanations,  and  thus  the  beautiful  repose  of  his 
spirit  was  broken.  In  John's  case  it  would  have  been  decided 
by  "  a  word  and  a  blow  ;"  but  Richard's  mental  and  physical 
temperaments  were  both  different  from  his  ;  and  while  John 
entered  into  his  favorite  pursuits,  Richard  gave  himself  up  to 
sensitive  and  jealous  misery. 

The  subject  of  duelling  had  been  frequently  discussed  in 
former  years  by  papa  and  Duncan.  Duncan  thought  it  an  out 
rage  on  the  law  of  God,  and  an  impatient  interference  with  the 
political  code  of  our  country,  which  aims  to  provide  for  the 
rights  of  its  citizens.  He  argued  that  the  grievances  between 
two  private  individuals  ought  not  to  be  placed  in  the  scale 
against  the  nuisance  of  throwing  whole  families  and  communi 
ties  into  terror,  agitation,  and  unspeakable  distress  ;  that  it  is 
full  season  for  an  enlightened  age  to  put  down  one  of  the  most 
ravage  and  foolish  relics  of  barbarous  times  ;  that  a  spurious 
and  animal  bravery  is  the  very  highest  sentiment  which  the 
practice  promotes,  while  a  lofty  moral  courage  is  exercised  in 
refusing,  not  in  accepting  a  challenge ;  that  the  most  valuable 
lives  are  now  exposed  to  destruction  whenever  an  unprincipled 
bully  sees  fit  to  offer  an  insult ;  that,  so  far  from  the  stain  of 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  205 

dishonor  being  effaced  by  duelling,  it  is  generally  engrained 
more  deeply,  as  is  evinced  by  the  fact  that  nothing  is  considered 
more  uncivil  than  to  allude  to  a  particular  duel  in  the  presence 
of  the  survivor,  or  of  the  friends  of  either  party ;  that,  accord 
ing  to  the  present  practice,  virtue,  vice,  honor,  infamy,  truth, 
falsehood,  are  all  made  to  depend  on  the  most  factitious  and 
contingent  principle  in  the  world,  viz.,  the  event  of  a  combat — 
the  lottery  of  the  pistol ;  that  the  conduct  and  the  passions 
which  are  thus  fostered  seem  natural  to  wolves,  not  to  human 
beings  ;  that  the  most  valiant  men  of  antiquity,  the  Cassars,  the 
Catos.  and  the  Pompeys,  never  dreamed  of  avenging  their  per 
sonal  injuries  by  private  combats  ;  that,  since  the  most  brave, 
enlightened,  and  virtuous  nations  on  earth  have  been  entirely 
ignorant  of  duelling,  it  is  not  essentially  an  institution  of  honor, 
but  a  frightful  and  barbarous  custom,  worthy  of  its  ferocious 
origin  j  that,  by  a  principle  of  false  shame  and  the  fear  of  re 
proach,  it  transforms  the  best  of  Inen  into  hypocrites  and  liars, 
and  drives  them  out  to  murder  the  friends  of  their  youth  and 
their  bosoms,  for  an  indiscreet  word  which  they  ought  to  forget, 
perhaps  for  a  merited  reproach  which  they  ought  to  endure  ; 
that  the  duellist,  by  a  horrible  refinement  and  reduplication  of 
crime,  unites  at  once  in  his  own  person  the  character  of  a  mur 
derer  and  suicide  :  that  the  practice  is  not  necessary  to  vindi 
cate  one's  reputation  from  the  charge  of  cowardice,  since  every 
brave  man  has  opportunities  to  expose  his  life  for  the  sake  of 
his  country  and  of  humanity ;  that  no  man  of  true  sensibility 
can  ever  expect  to  be  serene  and  happy  after  having  killed 
his  antagonist ;  and,  finally,  that  genuine  honor  lies  in  our 
selves,  and  not  in  the  opinion  of  the  world ;  that  it  is  neither 
defended  by  sword  nor  buckler,  but  by  a  life  of  integrity  and 
irreproachableness ;  and  that  this  combat  is  more  glorious  than 
any  other. 


206  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

Papa,  on  the  contrary,  advocated  it  as  a  check  on  the  vio 
lence  of  human  passion,  as  well  as  on  the  meanness  of  dis 
honor,  and  a  salutary  substitute  for  imperfect  laws,  particularly 
in  a  thinly  populated  country,  where  arbitration  is  difficult, 
and  the  laws  slow  in  their  operation.  He  maintained  that  the 
agony  of  enduring  an  insult,  and  especially  the  scorn  and  con 
tempt  of  society,  are  more  intolerable  than  all  the  evils  arising 
from  the  practice  of  duelling,  and  that  the  refusing  to  fight  is 
an  ambiguous  action,  since  cowards  may  pretend  principle  to 
shelter  themselves  from  a  danger  they  dare  not  meet. 

I  had  often  listened  with  intense  interest  to  these  discussions, 
and  found  myself  leaning  to  what  seemed  to  me  the  heroic  side 
of  the  question,  when  papa  said  one  day  to  Duncan,  after  a  long 
argument — 

"  Could  you,  sir,  condescend  to  bear  an  insult  tamely  1" 

I  felt  my  cheek  flush  as  Duncan  replied,  calmly,  ':  I  would 
trust  to  the  laws  of  my  country  for  redress,  and  never  violate 
what  I  think  to  be  the  will  of  God." 

As  papa  gave  the  slightest  possible  whistle  and  turned  on  his 
heel,  I  blushed  deeper,  but  it  was  for  Duncan  j  nor  could  his 
calm  and  dispassionate  arguments  with  me  ever  separate  the 
thought  of  cowardice  from  his  views.  Alas  !  I  knew  not  then 
how  my  lofty  feelings  would  be  tested  ! 

"  What  shall  I  do,  Cornelia  ?"  said  Richard,  as  we  struck 
into  a  retired  footpath,  after  pouring  out  our  souls  to  each 
other  as  we  were  wont  to  do.  "  I  feel  the  sting  of  this  insult 
rankling  like  a  serpent's  fang  within  me  through  the  day,  and 
at  night  I  see  it  branded  in  burning  characters,  in  waking  dark 
ness,  and  yet  more  hideous  dreams.  I  see  it  in  every  man's 
face  calling  me  coward,  and  women  seem  to  me  to  shrink  from 
one  who  cannot  defend  them.  I  have  tried  to  look  all  round 
this  subject  calmly,  but  it  comes  to  me  like  a  nightmare." 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  207 

We  were  thrown  together  in  the  company  of  Randolph.  I 
glanced  at  Richard,  and  soon  saw  a  deep  red  spot  gather  on  his 
cheek  ;  his  lips  were  compressed,  and  his  manner  stately.  Ran 
dolph  asked  an  introduction  to  me.  I  received  him  like  ice. 
for  my  heart  was  my  poor  Richard's,  who  sat  silent  and  reserved. 
Randolph  became  particularly  gay  ;  his  wit  flashed  out,  and 
shone  the  brighter  over  Richard's  clouds.  In  the  playfulness 
of  his  feelings  he  said  things  which  a  jealousy  like  ours  was  not 
slow  to  misinterpret.  We  left  the  circle  abruptly. 

"  I  can  bear  this  no  longer,"  said  my  brother,  as  he  walked 
on  with  rapid  strides,  and  pressed  his  hand  to  his  forehead. 
"  Randolph  scoffs  at  me.  I  must  have  the  satisfaction  of  a 
gentleman.  Even  you  despise  me  for  my  abject  submission." 

I  was  silent  for  a  while,  and  then  said,  "  I  can  bear  anything 
better  than  your  disgrace,  brother." 

How  little  did  it  occur  to  me  that  I  might  have  been  a 
medium  of  reconciliation  instead  of  a  desperate  adviser  !  If 
the  right  string  had  been  touched  in  my  brother's  mind,  all 
would  have  been  tuned  to  harmony ;  but  my  preconceived  views 
of  physical  courage  overbalanced  the  claim  of  high  moral  duty. 
Poor  Richard  !  we  went  home ;  he  threw  himself  moodily  on 
the  sofa,  buried  his  face  in  his  hands,  and,  rising,  poured  out 
his  feelings  anew  in  words  of  burning  anger. 

Oh,  woman,  beware  how  you  aid  in  inflaming  the  passions  of 
man !  The  courtesan  of  classic  times  won  her  judges  by  a  dis 
play  of  her  personal  charms  ;  let  your  manifestation  be  only  of 
the  bright  and  tender  virtues ;  let  not  your  influence,  either  of 
person  or  mind,  swell  the  tempest  of  unlawful  excitement.  It 
is  not  my  object  here  to  argue  for  or  against  duelling ;  that  is 
the  province  of  abler  minds ;  but  I  may  venture  to  show  how 
female  influence  may  "  ride  on  the  whirlwind  and  direct  the 
storm"  of  masculine  feeling  for  good  or  for  evil ;  how  the  genius 


208  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

of  Christianity,  or  even  worldly  philosophy,  quietly  exhibited  in 
woman's  gentle  tones,  may  come  with  their  enlightening  power, 
not  for  the  avoidance  of  mere  physical  pain,  but  with  a  serious 
regard  to  man's  true  dignity  and  ultimate  destiny.  I  warn  my 
sex  against  inflammatory  expressions.  Beautiful  and  graceful 
to  the  eye,  can  they  be  hard  and  unforgiving  ?  We  wonder 
not  that  the  coarse  nettle  leaves  its  sting ;  but,  when  the  flower 
that  we  carry  to  our  lips  ejects  its  poison,  grief  and  surprise  are 
added  to  the**pain.  Had  I  but  given  those  "  soft  answers  that 
turn  away  wrath,"  had  I  thought  of  how  many  good  feelings  in 
man's  nature  may  be  operated  upon — instead  of  stimulating  the 
evil.  I  might  have  been  the  blessed  means  of  reconciling  two 
noble  spirits.  But  I  did  not ;  my  haughty  soul  would  not  stoop 
to  the  thought  that  my  brother  should  even  inquire  into  the 
motives  of  an  aggressor.  Stoop  !  mistaken  term !  The  peace 
maker  stoops  not,  but  rather  rises  to  a  high  moral  elevation, 
and  looks  calmly  down  upon  the  angry  passions  that  are  float 
ing  beneath  him. 

A  challenge  was  sent,  unknown  to  any  of  our  domestic  circle 
but  myself.  The  meeting  was  to  be  on  the  following  morning, 
in  a  field  two  miles  distant,  at  early  dawn.  Papa  and  John 
were  in  the  city. 

Richard  and  I  sat  late  in  the  piazza  on  that  evening.  We 
spoke  but  little  ;  we  did  not,  as  we  were  often,  in  the  fulness  of 
our  confidence,  accustomed  to  do,  clasp  each  other's  hands.  The 
voices  of  our  family  seemed  to  me  like  dreams  and  echoes 
rather  than  realities  ;  to-morrow  was  spoken  of — it  was  as  a 
vague  image  for  a  moment — then  the  thought  of  its  probable 
results  swept  over  me  like  a  coming  tempest.  The  family  re 
tired  to  their  quiet  repose.  Richard  gave  the  little  ones  no 
kiss,  as  usual,  and  answered  not  their  childish  prattle  ;  they  all 
went,  and  we  were  left  alone.  Then  came  the  agony  ;  I  could 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  4209 

not  let  him  go  ;  I  clung  round  his  neck  and  petitioned  him  to 
gtay.  I  felt  already  like  a  murderer.  I  offered  to  mediate — 
to  do  anything  rather  than  expose  a  human  life  to  risk  the  un 
tried  possibilities  of  a  future  state  of  being.  Richard  was 
affectionate,  but  firm. 

"  It  is  too  late,  my  sister,"  he  said.  "  Had  I  been  a  little 
more  patient"  (alas  !  what  duellist  has  not  had  a  moment  like 
this  ?)  "  I  might  have  prevented  this  result.  Perhaps,  after  all, 
I  have  exaggerated  this  affair ;  but  it  is  too  late — to  stop  now 
would  be  infamy.  And  now,  Cornelia,  for  my  last  charge.  I 
have  endeavored  to  write  to-day,  but  in  vain.  I  leave  the  com 
mission  to  your  tenderness." 

As  he  said  this,  he  handed  me  an  unframed  miniature  of  a 
full-length  figure,  on  which  was  written  "  Eliza."  He  had 
showed  it  me  before,  but  now  it  struck  me  with  tenfold  interest. 
It  was  feminine  almost  to  childishness,  except  the  eyes  ;  but 
there  beamed  forth  from  those  dark  orbs  a  full-formed  soul, 
thirsting  for  intellectual  food.  The  figure  was  slight,  symmet 
rical,  and  waving — one  of  those  that  seem  formed  to  lean  on 
man's  stronger  arm  :  but  the  gazer  on  that  portrait  turned,  as 
by  a  spell,  and  rested  on  those  large  dark  eyes,  beaming  in  glit 
tering  softness,  until  his  heart  said,  "  I  love  thee,  gentle  one !" 

"  Those  beautiful  eyes,"  said  Richard,  mournfully,  as  he 
leaned  over  my  shoulder,  while  the  moon  shed  its  rays  upon  the 
picture.  "  must  they  weep  for  me — for  me,  who  vowed  that  the 
tears  of  our  parting  were  the  last  that  they  should  shed  ?  I 
wiped  them  then,  and  Eliza  stood  like  a  trusting  child  as  I  did 
so  ;  and  when  I  said  I  could  not.  leave  her  till  she  smiled,  she 
did  smile  a  radiant  smile  of  hope  and  trustingness.  Oh,  God ! 
have  I  not  deceived  her  young  heart  ?  And  my  poor  mother, 
she  who  has  but  just  begun  to  reap  the  labor  of  maternal  love, 
should  I  not  have  borne  more  for  her  ?  Randolph,  too,  do  I 


210  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

hate  him  ?  do  I  wish  his  death  ?  Would  I  not  heal  him  if  he 
were  wounded,  give  him  drink  if  he  thirsted,  and  stand  with  him 
hand  to  hand  against  a  common  enemy?  Strengthen  me,  Cor 
nelia,  I  am  bewildered  ;  weep  not  thus,  my  sister,  for  God's  sake  ; 
strengthen  me." 

I  could  not ;  and  we  yielded  in  each  other's  arms  to  one  of 
those  long  and  passionate  bursts  of  agony  that  sweep  along 
life's  paths,  and  make  the  heart  and  body  grow  old. 

At  twelve  o'clock  we  parted.  I  listened  for  his  tread  in  the 
adjoining  room  ;  all  was  still.  I  would  have  given  the  world 
to  hear  his  footstep.  I  could  not  bear  the  silence,  but  went  to 
his  door  and  whispered  his  name.  He  answered  instantly,  and 
calmly — 

"  Go  back,  my  sister.     I  cannot  see  you." 

"  Only  one  word,  Richard — one  look  more." 

"  No  ;  go— go  !» 

I  went  to  my  bedroom.  The  moon  was  at  full.  Everything 
looked  gigantic  ;  the  shadows  lay  in  grotesque  masses  ;  the  trees 
waved  their  arms  like  living  things ;  the  whippoorwill's  note 
was  like  a  shriek  in  my  ear.  Twice  in  that  long  night  I  went 
to  Richard's  door,  and  sat  there ;  once  I  heard  the  click  of  a 
pistol.  Still  his  only  answer  to  my  petition  was, 

"Go,  go,  Cornelia,"  in  his  calm,  sweet  tone. 

I  laid  myself  down  by  the  door,  with  my  face  upon  the  boards  ; 
their  coolness  was  fresh  to  my  burning  cheek.  I  saw  figures 
in  the  darkness — wounded  forms — gashes — streaming  blood — 
and  Eliza  was  there — unconscious,  with  her  glittering,  moon 
light  eyes. 

The  door  opened.  I  would  have  caught  and  held  my  brother, 
but,  seemingly  aware  of  my  design,  he  stooped,  and,  holding  my 
hands  tightly  in  his,  laid  a  long  kiss  upon  my  lips,  and  escaped 
rapidly  down  the  stairs.  I  would  have  screamed  to  him  to  re- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  211 

turn,  but  my  voice  failed  me.  I  was  dizzy — faint ;  it  was  but 
a  moment,  but  he  was  gone  ;  then  a  ferocious  horror  came  over 
me  like  madness.  I  clinched  my  hands  and  teeth,  and  a  shiv 
ering  went  through  my  frame.  It  was  insupportable.  I  rushed 
to  mamma's  apartment,  and  told  her  the  horrid  tale.  Then 
was  all  the  mother  roused  :  then  a  throe  deeper  than  birth- 
struggles  tore  her  heart.  It  was  fearful  to  see  my  calm  parent 
thus  moved.  "  We  must  go  to  him,"  were  all  the  words  she 
uttered,  but  such  looks,  such  piteous,  piteous  groans  !  Will 
they  ever  leave  my  memory,  or  the  reproaches  of  his  nurse, 
who,  wringing  her  hands,  shrieked  out — 

"  Miss  Neely,  Miss  Neely,  how  you  been  let  my  young  maussa 
do  such  a  ting?  God  have  mercy  on  he  soul." 

We  hurried  on  in  silence,  as  if  a  word  might  delay  us.  The 
moon  had  gone  down,  and  that  melancholy  moment,  melancholy 
even  to  happy  hearts,  arrived — the  breaking  dawn.  How  is  it 
that  awakening  nature  is  thus  sad?  Does  not  the  analogy  of 
all  human  feeling  tell  us  to  sympathize  joyfully  with  such 
scenes  ?  How  is  it,  then,  that  the  moon  and  stars,  which  play 
as  in  jubilee  around  the  form  of  midnight,  look,  before  the  gray 
dawn,  like  sad  travellers  journeying  a  lonely  way  ? 

We  hastened  on,  nor  thought  of  the  stars  as  they  sank,  one 
by  one,  to  shine  on  other  worlds,  nor  of  the  purple  glow  that 
rose  in  rich  coloring  on  the  eastern  sky.  We  were  near  the 
place  of  meeting — human  figures  were  seen.  A  flash — a  sound 
— we  reached  the  spot — the  cries  of  our  attendants  pierced  the 
air.  Mamma  received  her  unconscious  son  in  her  arms,  and  I 
clasped,  with  a  breaking  heart,  his  pulseless  hand. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

MARIA  ALWYN  AND   HER  MOTHER. 

"  And  thou,  sad  sufferer  under  nameless  ill, 
That  yields  not  to  the  touch  of  human  skill, 
Improve  the  kind  occasion,  understand 
A  father's  frown,  and  kiss  his  chastening  hand. 
To  thee  the  day-spring  and  the  blaze  of  noon, 
The  purple  evening  and  resplendent  moon, 
Shine  not,  or  undesired  and  hated  shine, 
Seen  through  the  medium  of  a  cloud  like  thine."— COYVPER. 

"  Nous  nous  aimions  tous-deux  des  la  plus  tendre  enfance, 
Et  j'avois  sur  son  coeur  une  enticre  puissance  ; 
Je  trouvais  a  lui  plaire  une  extreme  douceur, 
Et  les  chagrins  du  frere  etoient  ceux  do  la  soeur."— RACINE. 

As  I  saw  the  face  of  my  brother,  on  which  death  seemed  to 
have  stamped  an  instantaneous  seal,  and  heard  his  nurse's  groans 
and  lamentations,  and  mamma's  piercing  words  of  love,  and  the 
physician's  inquiring  voice,  it  seemed  to  me  as  if  some  wild  and 
fearful  tragedy  were  enacting.  Still  I  felt  an  awful  testimony 
within  me,  which  declared,  "  You  have  made  this  ruin — your 
words,  which  should  have  stilled  the  tempest,  have  given  it 
force ;  you,  who  call  yourself  the  gentle  and  tender  Christian, 
have  held  the  torch  and  spread  this  ruin." 

Randolph  approached  ;  pale  as  death,  he  gazed  silently  for  a 
moment  on  his  fallen  victim,  and  then,  with  a  suppressed  voice, 
said — 

"  Would  to  Grod  that  society  required  not  this  sacrifice  !     It 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  213 

is  a  fearful  thing  to  go  thus  before  one's  Maker  and  Judge.' 
With  a  half-unconscious  shudder  he  was  then  led  away. 

Life  was  not  extinct,  but  it  fluttered  almost  to  dissolution. 
Richard  was  borne  home,  and  we  followed — a  sorrow-struck 
train.  His  nurse  wrung  her  hands  and  wept  audibly ;  Bella, 
the  dumb  woman,  met  us  with  her  wild  howling ;  and  Jim  looked 
anxious  and  subdued. 

Life  struggled  fearfully  for  a  few  days  witlr  the  destroyer. 
Mamma,  by  his  bedside,  and  I,  lying  on  his  pillow,  watched  his 
pallid  face ;  it  was  indeed  like  death ;  his  silky  hair  was  parted 
from  his  noble  forehead,  and  his  dark  lashes  lay  on  his  marble 
cheek ;  one  could  not  see  that  he  breathed ;  to  my  excited  im 
agination,  the  fluttering  pulse  often  seemed  to  stop,  his  hands 
fell  nerveless,  and  only  now  and  then  a  quivering  sigh  stole  from 
his  breast. 

Slowly,  at  length,  his  eyes  unclosed,  and  a  faint  smile,  as  they 
met  our  gaze,  like  the  shadow  of  an  infant's  dream,  parted  his 
lips.  Oh,  my  heart !  I  was  faint  with  joy.  Again  came  the 
blessed  testimony  of  life  and  love ;  he  whispered  Mother  I  She 
bent  over  to  his  pale  lips,  clasped  his  clasping  hand,  laid  her 
face  on  his  pillow,  and  wept.  It  was  a  moment  for  the  heart's 
prayer.  His  old  nurse,  with  upraised  eyes  and  trembling  hands, 
stood  by  and  uttered  hers  aloud.  Jim  looked  on  anxiously,  for 
he  was  frightened  by  mamma's  tears. 

"  He  will  live!"  I  whispered  to  Jim;  "he  has  spoken  and 
smiled." 

A  little  sustenance  was  given  him  ;  he  smiled  again,  and  Jim 
caught  the  beautiful  glance  of  coming  life  as  it  beamed  even  on 
him. 

"  Ki !"  said  Jim,  in  a  tone  a  little  over  a  whisper,  and  snap 
ping  his  fingers,  "  dead  an't  gwying  for  catch  Maus  Dick  yet !" 

So  saying,  he  opened  the  door  softly,  slid  down  the  balusters. 


214  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

cut  a  few  somersets  through  the  yard,  and  proclaimed  the  good 
news  to  the  people.  Poor  fellow !  it  was  the  first  time  he  had 
voluntarily  left  his  young  master's  room.  Night  and  day  he 
and  Richard's  old  nurse  had  taken  their  stations  there  unbid 
den  ;  when  asleep,  a  word  aroused  them ;  when  waking,  they 
watched  with  active  kindness.  What  Southern  family  has  not 
this  testimony  to  give  of  some  faithful  dependant  who  thus  cre 
ates  a  tie  of  gratitude? 

Richard's  recovery  was  rapid,  and  the  busy  kindness  devoted 
to  a  Southern  convalescent  was  soon  discernible.  Custards  and 
preserves,  and  the  niceties  of  the  season,  decorated  with  bou 
quets  of  flowers,  were  sent  by  the  neighbors ;  while  the  colored 
people  brought  eggs  in  little  baskets,  with  young  poultry  from 
their  own  stores.  One  old  woman  came  to  the  door  and  asked 
"just  to  look  in." 

His  nurse  brought  her  humble  offering,  and  said,  with  a  cour- 
tesying  apology — 

"  I  an't  raise  but  one  chicken  dis  year,  but  I  fetch  'em  for 
my  child's  soup." 

The  first  night  that  I  retired  to  my  own  apartment,  with  a 
heart  weighed  low  by  gratitude,  I  threw  myself  upon  my  knees 
by  the  window  where  the  moonlight  scene  had  been  so  appall 
ing.  The  stars,  from  their  abodes  of  darkness,  threw  down 
their  glimmering  rays  and  lighted  my  weeping  eyes.  I  felt  like 
one  who  had  been  rescued  from  a  precipice,  and  looked  back 
with  trembling  on  the  chasm  below.  Did  I  feel  that  a  great 
duty  had  been  performed,  and  that  noble  approval  which  gives 
us  strength  to  bear  and  wings  to  fly  1  No ;  escape  was  the  only 
cause  of  triumph ;  and  however  men  may  vindicate  duelling  on 
grounds  of  expediency,  will  they  not  find  this  the  predominant 
feeling  when  they  survive  ?  Not  the  reward  of  bravery,  not  the 
elevating  testimony  of  high  moral  courage,  but  a  simple  relief 


SOl'TIIKRN    MATRON.  2  If. 

from  some  dark  and  overhanging  necessity,  is  the  best  result  of 
this  horrid  and  unnatural  violation  of  social  peace. 

John  returned  with  papa,  and,  after  the  first  strong  emotions 
were  over,  laughter  and  jest  echoed  through  our  mansion  ;  but 
Richard  and  I  for  a  while  dwelt  on  higher  things.  He  had 
been  too  near  the  unknown  abyss  of  a  future  world  not  to  feel 
a  cast  of  solemnity  over  his  soul.  We  reasoned  together  of  sa 
cred  things — of  death  and  a  judgment  to  come. 

"  It  may  be  a  vain  speculation,"  he  said  to  me,  "  but  I  de 
light  in  anticipating  the  future  state  of  disembodied  spirits. 
What  are  your  thoughts  on  this  subject,  Cornelia  ?" 

"  It  is  my  favorite  idea,"  I  answered,  "  that  '  we  shall  all  be 
changed,'  spiritually  as  well  as  physically.  The  world  has  been 
more  bright  to  me  than  to  many,  but  I  have  no  wish  to  carry 
away  any  of  its  recollections.  Young  as  I  am,  I  am  tired  of 
its  struggles.  I  hope  for  a  butterfly  transition — a  change  from 
this  headaching  and  heartaching  scene  to  a  bright  and  God- 
sunned  atmosphere.  I  love  to  think  that  when  I  have  done 
weaving  (faithfully)  my  earthly  envelope,  I  shall  spring  from  it, 
gorgeous  and  beautiful,  and  flit  away,  forgetful  of  the  coarse 
chrysalis  that  falls,  as  I  ascend  in  joy  to  my  heavenly  Father's 
spiritual  kingdom.  But  one  thing  I  must  require  in  my  flight" 
(and  I  pressed  Richard's  hand  to  my  cheek),  "  that  brother  but 
terflies  shall  go  with  me." 

"I  would  prefer  annihilation,"  said  Richard,  "to  a  forgetting 
of  my  individual  self.  The  spirit  must  be  able  to  look  back, 
and  compare,  and  judge ;  it  must  feel  its  growth,  to  be  happy. 
Accession  in  knowledge  is  the  only  test  of  spirituality.  I  can 
not  imagine  even  the  Supreme  Mind  at  rest ;  it  must  be  experi 
menting,  creating  still." 

Thus  we  discoursed  together,  or  I  read  to  him ;  a  soothing 
quiet  stole  over  us,  and  the  spirit  of  prayer  was  around  us. 


216  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

This  is  the  worth  of  sorrow.  Before  we  suffer,  words  are 
said,  but  the  spirit  prays  not ;  it  is  mere  form  :  but,  when  afflic 
tion  has  struck  the  rock  of  our  hearts,  and  its  religious  waters 
gush  forth,  we  pray  always  ;  that  is,  a  conscious  presence  of 
divinity  is  within  us,  and  our  thoughts  are  prayers. 

But  this  holy  influence  is  not  felt  by  all,  and  wretched  are 
those  who,  having  tasted  these  waters,  feel  not  that  the  Lord  is 
gracious.  While  Richard  was  convalescent,  a  neighbor,  a  widow, 
lost  her  only  child,  a  daughter.  We  were  not  in  the  habit  of 
visiting  her ;  but,  hearing  that  she  was  in  distress,  and  without 
domestic  friends,  mamma  commissioned  me  to  go  to  her,  with 
such  offers  of  service  and  sympathy  as  our  own  softened  feel 
ings  dictated.  In  my  own  equestrian  excursions,  I  had  seen 
Mrs.  Alwyn  riding  about  her  fields.  Her  appearance  was  re 
markable  ;  tall,  masculine  in  her  proportions,  with  full,  flashing 
black  eyes,  she  gave  directions  to  her  people,  not  ':  with  a  low 
voice,  that  excellent  thing  in  woman,"  but  in  coarse  tones  of 
encouragement  or  vituperation.  It  was  said  that  the  love  of 
gain  and  fear  of  her  neighbors  were  all  that  restrained  her  from 
positive  cruelty.  She  arose  at  the  dawn  of  day,  and  even  used 
agricultural  implements  herself,  to  stimulate  her  negroes.  She 
denied  herself  rest  and  relaxation,  and  spent  a  life  of  unmiti 
gated  toil,  and  for  what  ?  That  she  might  educate  and  accom 
plish  her  daughter  ;  and  Maria  "  grew  like  a  living  flower  be 
neath  her  eye."  With  her  mother's  commanding  height,  she 
possessed  a  wavy  delicacy  of  figure  ;  her  mother's  dark  and 
flashing  eyes  were,  in  her,  softened  by  modest  sensibility  ;  she 
touched  with  taste  and  skill  the  piano  which  her  parent's  hard 
labor  had  earned,  and  around  her  apartments  were  hung,  in  ex 
pensive  frames,  trophy  after  trophy  of  her  conquests  with  the 
pencil.  While  Mrs.  Alwyn  reconnoitred  the  fields,  a  terror  to 
idlers,  or  attended  to  the  drudgery  of  the  house,  Maria  lived 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  217 

secluded,  her  soft  hands  embroidering  tasteful  attire,  or  her 
dark  eyes  dropping  tears  of  sympathy  over  fictitious  sorrow. 
It  was  sufficient  happiness  to  her  mother  to  glance  at  her  white- 
robed  daughter,  as  she  sat  apart  like  an  idol  in  its  shrine. 
Maria  often  expostulated  with  her,  and  wrought  tasteful  caps 
and  kerchiefs,  and  playfully  arrayed  her  mother  in  them,  but 
with  little  effect.  Mrs.  Alwyn  strode  about  in  her  soiled  and 
tnttered  dress,  not  hesitating,  as  occasion  demanded,  to  test  the 
strength  of  her  hand  on  the  ears  and  shoulders  of  some  unhappy 
loiterer.  I  had  met  Maria  at  church,  and  occasionally  in  my 
rambles,  and  had  thought  of  knowing  her  further,  as  I  heard 
details  of  her  situation  and  character,  when  I  learned  that  she 
was  suddenly  withdrawn  from  this  living  and  moving  scene.  I 
willingly  hastened  to  her  bereaved  mother. 

I  was  ushered  in  by  her  frightened-looking  servant,  with  that 
light  and  solemn  tread  which  we  see  where  death  is.  I  was 
shocked  to  observe  the  body  of  the  deceased  laid  out  on  a  table 
in  the  parlor,  in  order  to  be  near,  as  I  learned  afterward,  to  her 
mother,  that  she  might  see  her  while  she  prepared  the  house 
for  the  funeral.  A  white  shroud  and  sheet  inwrapped  the 
body,  and  there  seemed  to  be  a  supernatural  extent  in  the  tall 
figure,  as  the  pointed  toes  stood  up  beneath  the  thin  covering. 
Over  the  beautiful  eyes,  now  but  partially  closed,  lay  pieces  of 
metal.  Was  this  indeed  Maria,  thus  cold  and  pale  as  new-fallen 
snow  ? 

Mrs.  Alwyn  sat  where  she  could  watch  the  corpse  and  gaze 
upon  its  countenance.  She  held  a  plate  in  her  hand,  and  a 
towel,  as  if  she  had  been  wiping  it.  A  stern  coldness  was  min 
gled  with  her  grief,  and  she  rocked  to  and  fro  in  her  chair,  with 
the  motion  which  sorrow  loves. 

I  entered  ;  she  regarded  me  with  a  slight  motion  of  the 
head.  I  took  her  hand — it  was  passive.  I  spoke,  but  there 

10 


218  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

was  no  answer,  and  I  sat  down  in  silence.  At  length,  with  a  look 
in  which  distress  and  anger  were  strangely  blended,  she  said — 

"  There  she  is,  Miss  Wilton  !  see  what  it's  come  to  !  a  beau 
tiful  corpse  she  is  !  That  girl  an't  done  a  thing  to  trouble  her 
mother's  heart  since  she  came  into  the  world,  a  stark  baby,  till 
now.  Do  you  see  them  pictures  ?"  (and  she  pointed  with  hex- 
soiled  dark  fingers  from  one  to  the  other.)  <:  I  have  toiled  night 
and  day.  I've  worked  like  a  nigger,  and  more  than  any  nigger. 
I've  been  up  early  and  abed  late,  to  get  that  girl  a  genteel  educa 
tion,  and  what  has  it  all  come  to  ?  Look  at  that  piano — I  put  the 
hay  into  the  loft  with'  the  pitchfork  with  my  own  hands,  to  let  the 
niggers  have  time  to  bring  that  here.  Didn't  she  sing  sweetly  ? 
I  worked  my  fingers  most  to  the  bone  for  them  pictures  and 
music,  and  what  has  it  all  come  to  ?  Just  look  at  her  and  sec. 
Where's  her  voice  now  ?  What  has  it  all  come  to  ?  Wasn't 
she  a  pretty-faced  girl,  with  her  white  hands,  that  I  wouldn't 
let  so  much  as  wash  a  cup  ?  Look  at  them  now,  stiff  and  still !" 
(I  turned  and  shuddered  as  I  looked  at  Maria's  long,  straight 
arm  as  it  lay  in  her  shroud.) 

"  Miss  Wilton,  it  don't  seem  to  me  as  if  I  can  bear  it,  or  as 
if  I  ought  to." 

I  ventured  to  suggest  a  reliance  on  a  higher  Power,  who 
afflicts  only  in  mercy. 

"  It  tan't  no  mercy,"  said  she  passionately.  "  I  wouldn't 
treat  a  dog  so.  If  you  had  a  garden  full  of  seeds,  and  saw 
them  come  up  and  blow  out  beautiful,  and  their  stalks  grow 
greener  and  bigger  every  day,  while  you  was  watering  them,  do 
you  think  it  would  be  merciful  if  anybody  was  "to  come  and 
tramp  them  all  down  and  pull  up  your  pretty  flowers  by  the 
root  ?  There  wasn't  a  prettier  flower  in  all  creation  than  that," 
continued  she,  pointing  to  the  lifeless  form.  "  and  now  see  what 
she  is." 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  219 

'•  She  ivas  a  lovely  girl,"  said  I,  "  and  you  had  reason  to  be 
proud  of  her.  I  have  often  observed  her  tall,  graceful  figure  as 
she  came  into  church.  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  she  was  kind 
and  dutiful ;  that,  at  least,  must  comfort  you." 

"  'Tan't  no  comfort,"  said  Mrs.  Alwyn,  bitterly.  "  If  she  had 
been  cross  and  ugly,  she  might  have  gone  and  welcome.  What 
is  the  use  of  having  a  person  about  you  that  an't  pleasant  ? 
But  I'll  tell  you  what  is  a  mortal  hard  case  ;  to  have  some 
thing  taken  away  that  was  the  delight  of  your  eyes  ;  one  who 
used  to  be  the  first  object  you  loved  to  look  at  in  the  morning, 
and  the  last  at  night.  In  the  morning,  when  I  came  from  the 
field.  I  used  to  go  to  her  bedroom  and  wake  her.  How  pretty 
she  was  on  her  pillow,  with  one  cheek  all  red  like  a  rose,  where 
she  had  laid  on  it,  and  the  other  like  a  lily  !  and  when  I  said 
'  Maria  !'  how  she  rubbed  her  eyes  like  a  child,  and  half  pouted 
and  half  smiled  as  I  waked  her.  Where  is  the  rosy  cheek 
now  ?" 

My  heart  thrilled  as  I  saw  its  paleness. 

"  And  then,"  continued  her  mother,  "  she  sat  so  lady-like  at 
table,  as  if  she  had  been  born  and  bred  genteel ;  her  frocks  like 
snow,  and  her  cambric  handkerchiefs  in  her  lap.  At  night  I 
used  to  go  in  and  tuck  up  her  bed  ;  she  was  always  at  her  books, 
or  her  work,  or  reading  her  Bible,  or  on  her  knees  at  prayer,  for 
sho  was  a  pious  child." 

"  You  must  at  least  be  grateful  that  her  niind  was  so  pure, 
and  pious,  and  prepared  for  death,"  said  I. 

"  Grateful  !"  replied  she,  angrily.  "  What  good  will  it  do 
me  1  I  shall  be  none  the  better  for  her  hymns  and  her  prayers. 
If  she  had  stayed,  I  could  have  heard  her  sweet  voice.  Now, 
I've  worked  my  fingers  to  the  bone  just  for  that  dead  body.  I 
can't  bear  it,  and  that's  an  end  of  the  matter.  I  don't  think 
it's  fair  that  she  should  die.  Well,  I  must  go  to  work  and 


220  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

bury  her,"  muttered  she,  in  a  lower  tone,  and  retiring  into  the 
next  apartment,  where  she  could  still  glance  at  her  lifeless  child. 

I  stood  a  while  and  meditated  on  the  early  dead.  Her  im 
age  came  before  me  as  I  had  often  seen  her  enter  church,  dressed 
with  exquisite  care,  and  a  reference  to  the  changing  shades  of 
fashion.  Her  head  had  a  gentle  bend  or  wave,  from  a  conscious 
ness  of  her  height,  which,  as  she  did  not  stoop,  was  rather  grace 
ful,  while  her  cheek,  usually  pale,  was  lighted  up  by  the  thought 
of  public  observation.  She  often  rested  an  ungloved  hand  on 
the  side  of  the  pew,  which,  as  it  was  delicately  white,  and  glit 
tering  with  jewels,  I  sometimes  thought  was  for  display  ;  but 
her  modest  eyes  seemed  to  deny  it ;  and  her  voice,  rising  in 
rich  and  earnest  tones  in  the  hymns  and  chants,  and  her  air  of 
devotion  in  prayer,  showed  an  engagedness  that  comported  not 
with  vanity. 

Now  I  saw  her  stretched  on  her  hard  resting-place,  death 
giving  that  supernatural  length  to  her  tall  form ;  those  glazed 
eyes,  that  were  so  lately  lit  up  with  intellectual  glory,  but  par 
tially  closed  by  the  heavy  metal  on  the  starting  lids  ;  those  feet, 
which  had  trod  the  aisles  with  light  and  graceful  movement, 
stiff  and  prominent  under  the  white  death-clothing ;  that  fair 
hand,  whose  sparkling  gems  had  glittered  to  the  observer,  daz 
zling  in  whiteness  still,  but  with  the  unrosy  paleness  of  the 
grave. 

Her  wretched  mother's  unbelief  saddened  still  more  this 
painful  picture.  Could  she  have  looked  on  her  with  Christian 
trust,  and  fancied  that  spirit  translated  to  the  garden  of  heaven, 
where  blight,  and  frost,  and  tear-dews  fall  not ;  could  she  have 
fancied  her  upward-soaring,  and  retained  but  a  fold  of  her  gar 
ment  to  aid  her  own  flight,  how  would  her  cold  heart  have  felt 
the  change  !  But  alas  !  the  grave  was  to  her  the  end  of  all 
this  sweetness  and  truth :  faith  stood  not  bv  that  grave,  with 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  221 

i 

patient  eye  and  folded  wing,  ready  to  spread,  at  God's  com 
mand,  either  over  the  path  of  earthly  duty  or  spiritual  joy. 

But  grief  will  be  busy.  The  miserable  mother  decorated 
the  cold  corpse  with  all  that  custom  and  fashion  demand ;  the 
finest  cambric  enshrouded  it,  the  sheerest  muslin  lay  on  that 
pale  forehead ;  the  coffin  glittered  with  funeral-ornaments  ;  cere 
mony  lingered  in  the  well-ordered  procession ;  and  in  a  few 
months  a  pompous  monument  proclaimed  to  the  world  the  death 
and  the  virtues  of  Maria  Alwyn. 

This  picture  (literally  true)  is  a  startling  representation  of  an 
irreligious,  uncultivated  mind ;  but  are  there  not  many  who  se 
cretly  carry  out  these  sacrilegious  feelings  when  God  lays  their 
earthly  blessings  in  the  dust  ? 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

MY  BROTHER  BEN'S  EDUCATION. 

"  He  saw  whatever  them  hast  seen ; 
Encountered  all  that  troubles  thee : 
He  was — whatever  thou  hast  been  ; 
He  is — what  thou  shall  be." 

WE  were  at  this  period  made  unhappy  by  my  brother  Ben 
jamin's  abrupt  return  from  school ;  and  it  may  not  be  unprofit 
able  to  relate  his  reverses  before  and  after  this  time,  independ 
ently  of  my  narrative. 

Why  are  there  no  more  ripe  and  accomplished  scholars 
among  us  1  The  secret,  I  apprehend,  will  be  partially  under 
stood,  if  the  progress  of  his  education  is  examined.  It  will 
probably  awaken  the  sympathetic  groans  of  many  a  young  man, 
who  has  to  mourn  over  a  similar  experience.  I  fear  we  must 
look  forward  to  an  indefinite  repetition  of  similar  consequences, 
until  Charleston  shall  provide  one  grand  and  uniform  institu 
tion,  or  system  of  institutions,  for  the  education  of  her  youth, 
that  shall  be  unaffected  by  the  death  or  change  of  teachers,  or 
the  boundless  variety  of  text-books  :  and  until  parents  shall  co 
operate  cheerfully  with  the  rules  of  such  a  system. 

At  the  age  of  nine  years,  Ben  was  placed  at  one  of  the  best 
schools  in  Charleston,  and  boarded  in  a  private  family.  He 
was  a  lad  of  excellent  abilities  :  rather  more  fond,  indeed,  of  his 
play  and  horses  than  of  study,  but  never  wilfully  backward  at 
his  lesson.  His  teacher,  besides  superintending  the  usual 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  223 

branches  of  his  English  education,  put  him  early  into  the  Latin 
grammar.  Ben  was  punctual  at  school,  and  learned  two  or 
three  of  his  lessons  every  evening  at  homo.  When  we  were  in 
town,  I  gave  him  what  assistance  I  could,  though  now  and  then 
a  hearty  cry  took  place  over  the  difficulties  which  neither  he 
nor  I  could  comprehend.  His  troubles  at  school  were  of  the 
ordinary  description — sometimes  a  detention  till  long  after  the 
dinner-hour — sometimes  a  severe  chastisement  for  noise  or  care 
lessness — and  sometimes  a  station  far  below  the  middle  of  his 
class.  Yet  he  was  evidently  making  an  improvement  in  most 
of  his  studies  ;  and  could  his  present  opportunities  have  been 
continued,  Ben  might  have  become,  in  time,  a  very  respectable 
scholar.  Unfortunately,  however,  his  teacher,  at  the  end  of  the 
year,  abandoned  his  occupation  for  a  profession,  and  Ben  was 
thrown  loose  on  the  scholastic  world. 

After  some  time,  another  teacher  was  procured  for  him.  On 
entering  his  new  place  of  instruction,  he  was  examined  in  all 
his  studies,  and  pronounced  to  be  miserably  deficient  in  every 
respect.  The  fact  is,  this  gentleman  made  no  allowance  what 
ever  for  the  perturbation  of  the  poor  boy's  mind ;  when  sud 
denly  brought  before  a  strange  teacher,  his  attention  being  dis 
tracted  by  a  new  and  noisy  school,  and  that,  too,  after  a  month 
or  more  of  entire  interruption  in  his  studies.  The  learned 
gentleman  found  particular  fault  with  Ben's  ignorance  of  the 
multiplication  table  and  Latin  grammar,  and  took  occasion  to 
express  some  doubts  of  the  capacity  of  his  former  instructor 
to  teach  in  those  departments.  I  need  not  say  how  very  un 
just  was  such  an  inference.  Be  that  as  it  may.  my  brother  was 
ordered  to  begin  all  his  books  again,  and  was  stationed  in  a  class 
inferior  to  that  which  he  had  left  at  the  other  school.  He  carne 
home  completely  discouraged  and  mortified ;  disgusted  alike 
with  learning  and  with  his  new  instructor. 


224  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

May  I  be  permitted,  with  due  modesty,  to  suggest,  that 
much  mischief  is  occasionally  inflicted  in  this  way  on  ingenious 
and  well-intentioned  youth,  in  consequence  of  an  examination, 
which  can  only  be  superficial  and  imperfect  ?  "Would  it  not  be 
more  proper  to  take  the  word  of  the  parents  and  of  the  former 
teacher  as  to  the  progress  already  made  by  the  pupil  ?  It 
would  be  found,  in  a  short  time,  that  he  could  easily  revive  his 
former  knowledge,  without  being  necessitated  to  lose  his  stand 
ing  for  a  whole  year,  or  to  suffer  a  mortifying  degradation. 

But  the  feelings  of  youth  are  elastic.  It  is  one  of  the 
blessings  of  that  period  of  life,  that  its  mortifications  are  not 
attended  with  enduring  bitterness.  Ben  accommodated  him 
self  to  his  new  situation  with  tolerable  grace ;  and  by  the  close 
of  another  year  he  had  just  about  regained  that  point  in  his 
progress  at  which  he  had  been  left  by  his  former  teacher.  In 
consequence,  however,  of  falling  into  some  untoward  scrape,  he 
was  chastised  with  undue  severity  by  his  tutor,  who  was  a  man 
of  violent  passions.  Papa's  temper  was  equally  violent,  and 
the  affair  terminated  in  an  abrupt  withdrawal  of  my  brother  Ben 
from  his  present  school,  and  his  transference  to  another. 

From  the  precipitancy  with  which  this  exchange  was  effected, 
papa  had  no  opportunity  to  institute  any  minute  inquiry  as  to 
the  merits  or  studies  of  Ben's  new  school.  The  boy  trotted  off 
with  much  cheerfulness  on  the  first  morning  of  his  attendance, 
and  with  his  satchel  full  of  his  old  school-books.  But  papa 
was  not  a  little  surprised  and  mortified  in  seeing  Ben  return 
home  at  about  ten  o'clock,  with  his  heavy  satchel  on  his  arm, 
and  a  note  from  his  new  teacher,  requesting  that  the  boy  should 
be  furnished  with  an  entirely  new  set  of  books,  since  those 
which  he  had  brought  with  him  to  school  were  now  quite  out 
of  date.  Pike's  arithmetic  was  to  be  exchanged  for  Daboll's  ; 
Morse's  Geography  for  Cumming's ;  Ruddiman's  Latin  Gram- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  225 

mar  for  Adam's ;  Webster's  Spelling-book  for  Carpenter's ; 
Bingham's  English  Grammar  for  Murray's ;  the  American  Se 
lection  for  the  English  Reader ;  the  New  Testament  for  the 
whole  Bible ;  while  one  set  of  copy-slips  was  to  be  substituted 
for  another  ;  a  single-ruled  writing-book  for  a  double-ruled  one, 
which  Ben  had  just  begun  ;  and  the  gentleman  had  even  the 
thorough-goingness  to  request  that  my  brother's  large,  stout, 
new  slate  might  be  exchanged  for  a  recently-invented  tablet, 
which  would  come  in  requisition  at  certain  times  when  the 
blackboard  should  not  be  used. 

In  general,  papa  was  very  liberally  disposed  as  to  pecuniary 
matters,  and  was  always  particularly  willing  to  encourage  sug 
gested  improvements  in  education.  But  it  so  happened,  that 
this  year  his  crops  had  been  lamentably  cut  short,  and  the 
prices  of  rice  and  cotton  were  very  much  depressed.  This, 
added  to  the  irritability  under  which  he  was  still  laboring 
from  his  difficulty  with  the  preceding  teacher,  excited  him,  in  a 
moment  of  self-forgetfulness,  to  exclaim  that  he  would  not  pro 
cure  a  single  one  of  these  newfangled  books,  and  that  he  did 
not  care  whether  Ben  attended  any  of  those  vexatious  schools 
or  not.  I  knew  it  was  hopeless  to  attempt  to  change  this  un 
happy  mood  immediately,  and  the  result  was,  that  poor  Ben 
ran  about  the  streets  for  a  full  week  unoccupied,  gathering 
large  stores  of  boyish  experience  no  doubt,  but  sadly  falling 
behindhand  in  point  of  literary  cultivation. 

It  was  now  time  for  me  to  interfere  ;  indeed,  I  was  conscious 
that  papa,  having  gotten  the  better  of  his  temper,  and  opened 
his  mind  to  the  influence  of  reason,  was  only  waiting  for  a  word 
or  two  from  me,  in  order  to  enter  upon  a  more  praiseworthy 
course.  One  morning,  therefore,  at  the  breakfast-table,  I  ven 
tured  to  express  my  regret  that  Ben  should  continue  in  his 
present  unhappy  state  of  idleness,  and  suggested  that  he  might 

10* 


226  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

possibly  have  been  fortunate  in  making  an  exchange  of  teachers  ; 
for  it  was  to  be  supposed  that  improvements  must  be  going  on 
in  school-books  as  well  as  in  everything  else.  It  cost  me  but  a 
few  words  to  obtain  permission  to  go  out  that  very  morning  in 
pursuit  of  the  whole  appointed  list. 

I  searched  every  book-store  in  the  city,  finding  one  book 
here  and  another  there,  but  was  unable  to  procure  more  than 
half  the  prescribed  number.  I  was  assured,  that  if  I  had  called 
but  two  or  three  days  before,  I  might  have  obtained  some  of 
the  most  important  of  those  which  were  wanting.  But  it  was 
now  too  late,  and  we  were  obliged  to  await  a  new  importation 
from  the  North.  Steamboats,  in  those  days,  arrived  not  with 
weekly  punctuality ;  and,  therefore,  Ben  was  compelled  to  run 
wild  nearly  another  month  before  he  could  enter  the  wished-for 
school,  equipped,  externally  at  least,  with  all  the  educational 
improvements  of  the  age. 

My  brother,  who  had  now  arrived  at  an  age  of  some  reflec 
tion,  found  himself,  somewhat  to  his  astonishment,  at  the  foot 
of  the  hill  of  science.  The  preceding  years  appeared  to  his  view 
like  a  vacant  dream.  Young  as  he  was,  he  could  not  help  in 
quiring  what  had  become  of  them  ;  but  supposing  that  Heaven 
and  parental  guardianship  had  ordered  all  things  aright  in  this 
matter,  he  resolved  to  dismiss  unavailing  regrets,  and  begin 
anew,  with  commendable  diligence  and  ardor,  the  study  of  nu 
meration,  and  of  the  definite  and  indefinite  articles,  and  of  the 
astronomical  introduction  to  geography. 

We  could  find  no  fault  with  Ben's  present  teacher.  The  lad 
made  a  satisfactory  progress  in  his  studies,  and  all  things  flowed 
along  in  peace  until  August  of  the  next  year,  when  his  precep 
tor,  who  happened  to  be  a  native  of  New-England,  was  fatally 
attacked  by  the  yellow  fever,  and  died,  leaving  his  school  in 
volved  in  sorrow  and  confusion.  There  was  no  more  study  for 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  227 

that  season  ;  and  we  were  obliged  to  wait  until  late  in  the  au 
tumn  before  a  gentleman  could  be  procured  to  undertake  the 
school  on  his  own  account.  My  brother  was,  of  coarse,  injured 
by  this  unfortunate  intermission  in  his  studies.  He  lost  some 
what  in  his  power  of  application,  and  gained  as  much  in  his  in 
clination  for  all  kinds  of  youthful  amusements.  His  new  pre 
ceptor,  not  only  desirous  of  making  up  the  recently  lost  time 
of  his  school,  but  being  one  of  those  teachers  who  are  over-stim 
ulated  by  the  ambition  of  advancing  his  pupils  with  wonderful 
rapidity,  heaped  lesson  upon  lesson,  and  even  required  several 
new  branches  and  books  to  be  learned,  in  order  that  he  might 
surprise  the  parents  and  the  committee,  at  the  succeeding  annual 
examination,  with  the  unequalled  result  of  his  labors.  Ben  hu 
morously  requested  his  father  to  furnish  him  with  a  horse  and 
dray  to  transport  his  books  between  the  school  and  the  house. 
It  was  indeed  no  small  physical  labor  for  him  to  carry  his  little 
library  backward  and  forward.  His  satchel,  though  of  large 
dimensions,  could  not  contain  the  whole,  and  he  was  obliged  to 
carry  several  books  under  his  left  arm.  Groaning  and  perspir 
ing,  grumbling  and  bantering  together,  he  lugged  to  and  fro  his 
heavy  loads  for  a  few  days,  until  papa  purchased  for  him  a  small, 
strong  white  horse,  with  tail  and  mane  closely  cropped.  I  manu 
factured  for  him  a  new  sack,  resembling  more  a  clothesbag  than 
a  satchel.  Putting  into  this  the  whole  of  his  school  furniture, 
and  placing  it  on  the  neck  of  his  favorite  pony,  he  mounted  and 
rode  off  with  a  lighter  body  at  least,  if  not  with  a  lighter  heart, 
than  he  had  lately  enjoyed. 

He  was  now  beginning  to  be  ashamed  of  the  backwardness 
of  his  learning,  compared  with  his  age.  He  conceived  a  new 
and  passionate  fondness  for  study.  He  arose  every  morning  at 
dawn,  and  retired  not  to  rest  until  near  midnight.  He  even  re 
fused  to  devote  any  hours  to  recreation,  so  determined  was  ho 


228  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

to  realize  the  whole  system  of  his  present  teacher,  and  to  accom 
plish  every  one  of  his  lessons  in  the  most  perfect  manner.  But 
this  was  more  than  the  powers  of  nature  could  bear.  He  pur 
sued  the  present  course  about  three  months,  and  found  his 
health  and  constitution  rapidly  giving  way.  The  family  phy 
sician  being  consulted,  directed  that  he  should  quit  school  and 
books  altogether  for  some  time,  and  reside  with  mamma  in  the 
country.  Thus,  by  making  too  much  haste,  poor  Ben,  as  well 
as  his  teacher,  rather  retarded  than  accelerated  his  progress. 
He  passed  a  few  weeks  in  the  country,  entirely  abandoned  to 
amusements,  and  returned  to  town  in  perfect  health.  On  again 
attending  school,  he  experienced  the  immense  disadvantage  of 
being  far  behind  his  class.  The  studies  which  he  had  missed 
were  indispensably  necessary  to  a  right  understanding  of  his 
present  lessons.  This  circumstance,  added  to  the  sufferings  he 
had  already  endured  from  over-application,  threw  Ben  into  com 
plete  despair.  Finding  it  impossible  to  accomplish  all  his  tasks 
in  a  tolerable  manner,  he  grew  indifferent  and  inattentive.  He 
was  contented  to  remain  at  the  foot  of  his  class,  and  was  proof 
against  any  species  of  degradation  and  punishment.  He  fre 
quently  played  the  truant.  He  protracted  his  holydays  in  the 
country  till  near  the  first  of  February  and  the  middle  of 
May.  His  afternoons  in  town  were  devoted  to  riding  on  his 
little  horse,  whose  flesh  rapidly  disappeared  by  racings  on  the 
battery  and  gallopings  through  Meeting-street,  at  the  peril  of 
all  the  negro  children  in  his  way. 

It  was  now  full  time  to  try  a  new  experiment  with  my  un 
lucky  brother.  A  school  happened  to  be  opened  near  our  resi 
dence  ;  and  as  it  was  but  too  manifest  that  Ben  was  wasting 
away  his  precious  youth  by  his  present  career,  we  determined 
on  seizing  this  opportunity  to  make  an  exchange,  and  give  him 
another  chance  for  improvement.  Accordingly,  he  became  a 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  229 

pupil  of  our  new  neighbor,  whom,  if  I  were  devising  character 
istic  names  for  the  teachers  enumerated  in  this  chapter,  I  might 
call  by  the  appropriate  title  of  Mr.  Easy.  If  Ben  was  before 
oppressed  with  the  multitude  of  his  tasks,  he  had  now  far  too 
little  to  accomplish.  When  a  lesson  was  assigned  him  to  be 
learned  at  home,  which  was  but  seldom  the  case,  he  might  at 
tend  to  it  or  not,  as  he  chose,  for  it  was  never  exacted  from 
him.  His  teacher  was  all  indulgence ;  going  nominally  over 
the  common  branches  of  learning  with  his  pupils,  but  leaving  it 
to  their  own  genius  and  good  sense  whether  any  of  them  should 
become  scholars  or  idlers.  Now  Ben  had  not  quite  sufficient 
independent  energy  to  make  much  progress  under  a  system  like 
this.  He  was  naturally  docile,  and  would  have  lent  himself 
kindly  to  the  influences  of  any  good  and  effective  method.  But 
being  somewhat  of  a  victim  to  circumstances,  he  could  not  re 
sist  the  thousand  temptations  of  a  city  life,  when  opposed  to 
the  feeble  prescriptions  of  an  indulgent  preceptor.  Accordingly, 
he  was  in  a  fair  way  of  being  ruined.  His  talk  was  of  horses. 
His  companions  were  idlers.  He  commenced  playing  on  the 
guitar.  He  was  a  precocious  dandy.  His  thoughts  were  over 
much  given  to  dancing,  and  gallantry,  and  all  those  other  arts 
by  which  the  precious  sands  of  time  are  irrevocably  wasted. 
Fortunately,  the  school  which  he  now  attended  died  a  natural 
death.  It  had  not  sufficient  stamina  to  keep  itself  alive.  One 
after  another  of  the  pupils  dropped  away,  and  the  incapable 
teacher  emigrated  to  Alabama,  leaving  my  brother  Ben,  with 
only  two  fellow-students,  to  seek  for  better  places  of  education. 
Just  about  this  time,  advertisements  appeared  in  the  daily 
prints,  announcing  a  new  institution,  to  be  conducted  on  a 
highly  improved  and  refined  plan.  The  public  were  told  that 
appeals  would  be  made  entirely  to  the  good  feelings  of  the  pu 
pils — that  everything  like  corporeal  chastisement  would  be 


230  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

banished — that  the  memory  and  other  inferior  faculties  of  the 
mind  would  be  very  little  cultivated — while  almost  exclusive 
attention  would  be  paid  to  the  development  of  the  reason  and 
other  higher  powers.  Dazzled  by  these  brilliant  promises,  papa 
and  Ben  conceived  that  all  former  disappointments  were  now  to 
be  cancelled ;  and  that  nothing  but  the  happiest  career  was 
opened  before  the  sanguine  and  ambitious  young  man.  He  was 
one  of  the  earliest  candidates  for  the  benefits  of  this  improved 
and  refined  system.  For  a  time,  everything  flowed  on  smoothly 
and  sweetly  in  this  paradise  of  academies.  The  millennium  of 
education  seemed  to  have  arrived.  The  teacher  was  a  man  of 
polished  and  plausible  deportment,  and  fascinated  my  brother's 
imagination  and  good-will.  But  before  long,  Ben  discovered 
that  he  could  make  no  progress  in  the  classics  without  a  consid 
erable  tax  on  his  memory — the  declensions  and  the  rules  of  his 
Greek  and  Latin  grammars  were  not  always  ready  on  his  tongue 
— and  on  such  occasions  his  teacher  was  apt  to  fret,  and  assign 
my  brother  pretty  heavy  tasks  to  commit  to  memory  at  home. 
Those  long  conversations  and  processes  of  reasoning,  too,  which 
were  to  develop  the  youthful  mind,  and  which  were  so  charming 
to  Ben  in  the  outset,  grew  at  length  to  be  somewhat  fatiguing 
— his  attention  would  too  frequently  lag,  and  thus  incense  his 
preceptor — and  he  would  sometimes  doubt  the  cogency  of  his 
arguments  or  statements,  instead  of  assenting  to  them  with  that 
beautiful  docility  which  was  at  first  equally  agreeable  to  both 
teacher  and  pupil.  One  day,  especially,  when  all  these  various 
grievances  had  swelled  and  festered  to  an  outbreaking  point, 
Ben  very  rudely  questioned  some  position  or  reasoning  of  his 
preceptor.  The  latter  replied  indignantly.  Ben  followed  up 
his  insubordination.  The  teacher,  forgetting  his  own  maxim 
respecting  personal  chastisement,  gave  Ben  a  severe  blow,  which 
was  immediately  retorted  by  the  fiery  lad,  and  a  downright  en- 


SOUTHERN     MATRON.  231 

gagement  between  them  ensued  before  the  whole  school.  The 
consequence  was.  that  my  brother  appeared  at  dinner-table  that 
day  with  black  and  blue  marks  on  his  countenance,  and  was 
soon  after  expelled  from  the  institution. 

He  was  now  sent  to  an  academy  at  the  North,  where  he 
passed  another  year.  But  the  previous  habits  and  fortunes  of 
his  life  had  poorly  fitted  him  to  sustain  the  duties  of  this  new 
situation.  With  shame  and  regret,  he  found  himself  far  behind 
his  companions  and  equals  in  age.  and  knew  no  other  way  to  ob 
tain  the  notoriety  of  which  youth  in  general  are  so  fond,  than 
to  launch  out  into  a  life  of  brilliant  extravagance  and  dissipa 
tion.  This  course  soon  exhausted  not  only  the  very  liberal  al 
lowances  transmitted  by  my  father,  but  also  the  copious  remit 
tances  secretly  forwarded  by  my  mother ;  and  at  the  end  of  a 
year  he  was  recalled  home,  with  an  unsettled  character  and  dis 
position. 

A  succession  of  struggles  enabled  him  to  enter  a  Southern 
college,  and.  after  many  suspensions  and  fines,  bring  us  home  a 
diploma  and  a  blue  riband. 

The  question  now  again  to  be  asked  is,  Where  is  the  remedy 
for  this  imperfect  education — for  evils  which  so  many  of  both 
sexes  have  felt,  in  common  with  poor  Ben?  The  most  obvious 
mode  that  occurs  to  me  is,  to  convert  schools  into  places  for 
teaching  instead  of  recitation.  As  the  present  plan  operates, 
every  parent  would  willingly  change  offices  with  the  teacher ; 
that  is,  if  a  master  would  superintend  the  committing  a  lesson 
to  memory,  with  the  requisite  explanations,  the  parent  would 
very  gladly  hear  it  recited. 

Would  it  not  be  practicable  for  masters  to  teach,  and  explain, 
and  see  that  a  lesson  is  committed  one  day,  and  hear  it  recited 
the  next  ?  A  few  parents  might  complain  that  the  boys  and 
girls  were  idle  at  home,  merely  from  habit ;  but  they  would  soon 


232  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

find  their  gain  in  being  able  to  cultivate  soi&Q  favorite  study,  in 
exercise,  &c.  I  am  confident  that  if  Ben  had  been  taught  his 
lessons  at  school,  it  would  have  changed  the  whole  habit  of  his 
mind. 

How  ill  suited  is  a  bustling  parlor  for  the  studies  of  children, 
and  how  few  parents  know  how  to  teach ! 

I  do  not  mean,  in  these  remarks,  to  say  one  disrespectful 
word  of  teachers.  A  more  conscientious,  self-sacrificing,  en 
lightened  class  of  persons  than  they  cannot  be  found,  and  they 
but  comply  with  the  customs  around  them  in  their  present  sys 
tem  ;  but,  to  justify  my  remarks,  I  have  only  to  state,  that  the 
evil  referred  to  has  reached  such  a  height,  that  some  parents 
have  been  under  the  necessity  of  hiring  instructors  at  night  to 
teach  their  children  the  school  lessons  for  the  following  day. 
If  the  system  continue  as  it  is,  the  name  of  teacher  should  be 
changed  to  lesson-/iearer : 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

MARION. — DUMB   BELLA. — THE   INDIAN. — A  WEDDING. 

"But  who  is  she,  retiring  and  alone, 
That  makes  her  thoughts  by  sign  and  gesture  known  ? 
No  voice  escapes  those  lips  in  accents  dear, 
'Tia  one  dead  silence  all  from  year  to  year. 
Yet  let  not  pity  too  officious  rise  ; 
Nature  compensates  that  which  it  denies. 
The  expressive  look — the  motion  fraught  with  grace — 
May  rival  language  and  supply  its  place  : 
And  for  that  senseless  ear  perchance  are  given 
Ethereal  sounds,  and  intercourse  with  heaven." 

S.  OILMAN. 

Is  Marion  forgotten  ?  asks  some  young  girl  to  whom  love  is 
the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  a  story.  No,  not  forgotten ;  but  I 
never  proposed  to  write  a  love-story  in  these  simple  details, 
whose  object  is  to  show  the  habits  of  Southern  domestic  life. 

I  must  confess,  however,  that  an  expecting  look  was  cast  up 
the  avenue  as  strangers  approached,  and  a  tremor  felt  when  lie 
actually  came.  There  was  a  slight  abstraction,  too,  in  his  man 
ners,  which  the  students  of  love-thermometers  might  have  sup 
posed  a  suspicious  circumstance.  Whenever  he  saw  me  on 
horseback  he  looked  wistfully,  and  his  face  reddened.  My  dress 
was  entirely  different  from  that  in  which  he  had  seen  me  at  the 
time  of  my  bouleversement ;  my  height  and  manner  were  altered, 
and  I  always  began  to  jest  on  trifling  topics,  for  I  was  fright 
ened  at  the  thought  of  a  disclosure  after  what  had  passed.  It 
seemed  to  me  as  if  feminine  pride  called  on  me  to  keep  my  se- 


234  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

cret,  since  Anna  and  Lewis,  who  alone  could  have  revealed  it 
gracefully,  were  gone. 

Marion  was  preparing  himself  for  usefulness.  Inheriting  a 
large  estate,  he  did  not  feel  authorized  to  enter  on  its  duties 
without  some  personal  discipline.  He  attended  medical  and 
surgical  lectures,  that  he  might  supply  with  advice  the  acciden 
tal  wants  of  his  people  ;  and  interested  himself  in  mechanics  as 
a  means  of  saving  labor  on  his  plantation.  His  fine  person 
never  looked  more  noble  to  me  than  when  in  his  workman's 
jacket,  with  his  tools  in  his  hand,  he  superintended,  and  even 
aided,  the  works  of  his  people.  He  felt  the  responsibility  of 
his  situation,  and  looked  with  a  steady  and  inquiring  eye  on  his 
duties,  removing  evil  where  it  was  practicable,  and  ameliorating 
what  was  inevitable.  It  was  not  gain  only  that  he  sought ;  he 
was  aware  that  he  controlled  the  happiness  of  a  large  family  of 
his  fellow-creatures.  He  neither  permitted  himself  to  exercise 
oppression,  nor  tolerated  it  in  others.  Happy  human  faces  were 
his  delight,  and  the  blessings  that  followed  his  footsteps  were 
like  angel  voices  crowning  his  cares.  He  felt  how  much  a 
planter  has  to  answer  to  man  and  to  God  in  the  patriarchal  re 
lation  he  holds,  and  he  shrank  not  indolently  from  the  arduous 
demand.  High  responsibility  exalts  the  character  of  a  good 
man,  and  I  could  not  but  perceive  the  growth  of  principle  in 
Marion's  words  and  actions,  while  I  heard  among  some  of  the 
young  men  who  visited  us  a  tone  of  frivolity  that  sadly  con 
trasted  with  his  earnest  dignity  of  thought  and  expression.  I 
insensibly  prized  him  for  this  difference,  and  felt  how  much 
safer  would  be  the  happiness  of  a  wife  in  his  keeping  than  in 
that  of  a  mere  idler. 

The  moral  education  of  Southern  youth  should  be  directed 
to  their  peculiar  duties ;  indeed,  there  are  passages  in  the  teach 
ings  of  the  New  Testament  which  apply  peculiarly  to  our  iristi- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  235 

tutions,  and  which,  though  almost  negative  elsewhere,  are  ex 
quisitely  beautiful  in  the  classification  of  relative  duties  here. 
"  Masters,  give  unto  your  servants  that  which  is  just  and  equal, 
knowing  that  ye  also  have  a  master  in  heaven."  "  Ye  masters, 
forbear  threatening,  knowing  that  your  master  is  also  in  heaven, 
neither  is  there  respect  of  persons  with  him."  "Servants, 
obey  in  all  things  your  masters  according  to  the  flesh."  "  Let 
as  many  servants  as  are  under  the  yoke  count  their  own  mas 
ters  worthy  of  all  honor."  The  temptations  of  power  should  be 
diligently  pointed  out,  passion  repressed,  purity  enforced,  and 
then  the  young  Southerner  will  rise  like  the  sun  over  the  wide 
sphere  of  his  duty,  diffusing  light  and  warmth  around  him.  As 
Mentor  dwelt  with  eloquence  on  the  expected  legislation  of 
Telemachus,  so  should  every  father  prepare  his  son,  at  the 
South,  for  the  little  kingdom  over  which  he  is  to  reign  in  wis 
dom  and  love. 

It  would  seem,  at  the  first  glance,  that  one  of  the  most  diffi 
cult  offices  of  the  planter  would  be  to  restrain  the  tempers  of 
the  uneducated  beings  under  his  care  ;  but  daily  occupation 
and  systematic  routine  are  favorable  to  harmony,  and  God  has 
seemed  wonderfully  to  have  balanced  human  passions.  There 
are  few  Zelucos  among  fathers.  The  subject  of  surprise  is,  the 
escape  of  so  many  from  injury,  under  the  hand  of  passion,  in  all 
communities.  Who  has  not  seen  a  mother  of  the  laboring 
classes  shake  a  child  with  her  strong  arm,  until  one  would  sup 
pose  dislocation  would  follow,  and  the  child  come  out  from  the 
operation  rather  strengthened,  as  from  a  Calistheuic  exercise  1 
How  many  shoes,  aimed  at  the  head  of  a  culprit,  have  missed 
their  destination  !  It  is  curious  to  observe  how  seldom  they 
nit.  As  far  as  I  have  observed,  the  poorer  classes  in  New- 
England  shake  their  children  in  a  sudden  impulse  of  anger; 
while  negroes  throw  something  at  theirs.  There  is  that  which 


236  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

is  tremendously  exciting  in  a  shake — the  chatter  of  one's  teeth, 
the  impotence  of  one's  nerves  and  sinews,  and  the  trill  of  the 
voice  as  one  begs  pardon.  1  would  rather,  of  the  two,  run  my 
chance  of  a  missile,  and  take  to  dodging,  if  I  were  a  child. 

How  difficult  is  it  for  us,  who  have  time  to  reason  with 
children,  to  enter  into  the  feelings  of  parents  hurried  by  a  thou 
sand  cares.  The  poor  mot/her  standing  at  her  wash-tub,  burn 
ing  over  the  fire,  or  delving  at  her  needle,  must  be  summary  in 
her  punishments,  and  the  little  rebel  takes  advantage  of  her 
limited  minutes.  Even  the  dark  closet,  the  resort  of  leisurely 
people,  consumes  too  much  time  for  her ;  and  when  she  thinks 
her  urchin  is  well  seated  on  a  bench  in  the  corner,  to  which  he 
has  been  banished,  he  has  slipped  off  and  gone  to  some  new  ex 
periment.  The  poor  soul  can  neither  stay  to  administer  a  dose 
of  castor-oil,  as  one  of  my  friends  does,  for  bad  temper,  nor  ap 
ply  a  cold  bath,  nor  bind  a  strip  of  paper  on  the  forehead,  with 
the  offence  designated,  nor  condemn  the  child  to  the  bed  all 
day — an  admirable  prescription,  by-the-way,  for  those  who  sleep 
too  late  in  the  morning.  These  are  all  punishments  of  leisure, 
and  the  laborer  cannot  exercise  them.  Is  it  not  wonderful, 
then,  that,  as  correction  is  necessarily  so  brief,  it  is  not  often 
more  calamitous?  Scientific  discipline  has  adopted  the  cat-o'- 
nine-tails  and  the  ferula,  so  that  the  operation  can  be  carried  on 
without  maiming  ;  but  the  poor  woman  cannot  deliberately  ap 
ply  even  these.  She  must  take  the  first  tangible  thing,  and, 
luckily,  the  natural  implement  is  her  own  hand ;  luckily,  too, 
that  very  hand  relishes  not  a  too  potent  tingling,  or  too  dislo 
cating  a  shake,  and  the  child  is  safe.  But  while  I  have  been 
throwing  off  these  rambling  thoughts,  my  little  Clarence  has 
been  fishing  my  best  cap  from  a  bandbox ;  and,  as  he  swings  it 
on  his  hook,  his  Lilliputian  waiting-man  follows  him,  crying, 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  237 

"  Buy  fish,  missis  ?  buy  any  fish  ?"     Shall  I  use  my  natural 
implement  on  the  rogue  ? 

My  personal  experience  supplies  me  with  but  one  example  of 
passion  leading  to  fatal  consequences  in  our  own  neighborhood, 
but  it  was  a  most  aggravated  case,  and  related  to  Bella,  the 
deaf  and  dumb  girl,  and  to  her  mother,  the  Zeluco  of  my  story. 
I  have  never  seen  anything  more  affecting  than  Bella's  attach 
ment  to  her  infant.  It  was  one  of  God's  holy  compensations 
for  infirm  human  nature  ;  she  felt  no  want  with  her  babe  in  her 
arms  ;  and  language — oh  !  the  language  between  these  two 
creatures — the  twining  of  arms,  the  gaze  of  the  eyes,  the  pres 
sure  of  the  lips  ;  and,  when  any  attempt  was  made  to  take  the 
child  from  her,  how  that  strange  howl  thrilled  the  soul !  She 
was  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  her  duties ;  the  family  at  the 
Elms  treated  her  with  peculiar  tenderness,  and  the  child  was 
the  pet  of  the  household.  But  her  passions,  like  those  of  most 
mutes,  were  violent,  and  her  mother,  so  far  from  pitying,  treated 
her  with  brutality.  One  day  when  I  was  visiting  at  the  Elms, 
we  heard  a  cry  wilder  than  I  had  ever  known  from  poor  Bella. 
Her  mother  had  attacked  her  in  anger,  and  levelled  a  blow  with 
a  stick  of  wood,  which  laid  her  and  her  infant  on  the  ground. 
In  a  week  that  smiling  baby  was  a  corpse  by  Bella's  side,  and 
she  was  fast  journeying  to  the  same  sad  bourn.  Even  in  death 
she  could  not  let  her  baby  go,  and  her  wild  cry  sounded  fierce 
and  long  when  any  one  attempted  to  remove  it.  It  was  laid  in 
its  shroud  by  her  side ;  she  felt  its  little  forehead  and  cold 
hands,  and  moaned  over  its  unmoved  lips.  Poor  Bella  was 
tenderly  cared  for  by  her  mistress,  and  her  pious  colored  friends 
stood  around  her  and  pointed  upward,  as  if  to  God.  She  shook 
her  head,  and  clung  to  her  dead  infant.  It  was  forced  from  her, 
and  placed  in  its  humble  coffin  and  peaceful  grave,  and  two  days 
after  Bella  was  laid  by  its  side.  It  is  a  sad,  though  humble 


238  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

story.  I  have  long  since  laid  it  to  niy  heart ;  and  when  passion 
has  threatened  to  shake  me  in  my  intercourse  with  those  around 
me,  the  image  of  that  wrathful  mother,  though  comparatively 
irresponsible,  has  arisen  to  my  view,  darkly  pointing  at  Bella's 
grave. 

Little  that  was  interesting  occurred  at  this  time  at  Roseland  ; 
but  one  incident  may  show  a  feature  of  our  life.  We  shall  not 
long  have  such  to  record,  for  the  Indian  race,  like  the  noble 
trees  of  our  forests,  are  disappearing — the  axe  is  laid  at  their 
roots.  As  I  was  playing  the  piano  one  morning,  I  heard  a  light 
footstep ;  and,  turning  round,  saw  an  Indian  in  full  costume, 
standing,  with  folded  arms,  against  the  entrance  of  the  door,  his 
eyes  bent  directly  on  me.  I  was  so  startled  that  I  could  not 
proceed  in  singing.  I  made  two  or  three  ineffectual  attempts, 
and  then  preferred  passing  out  of  the  room  close  to  him  rather 
than  remain.  As  I  rose  from  the  instrument  his  eyes  followed 
me,  though  his  attitude  was  unchanged,  and  he  made  a  gesture 
for  me  to  return  and  play.  I  went  to  mamma,  who  decided 
that  I  must  do  so.  She.  like  most  Southern  ladies,  had  no  un 
necessary  fears.  She  was  in  the  habit  of  passing  months  with 
her  children  on  the  plantation,  without  any  other  protection 
than  her  servants.  The  Indian  had  remained  in  the  same  erect 
attitude,  as  if  he  expected  our  return  ;  and.  as  mamma  bowed 
in  passing,  he  returned  her  salutation.  I  sat  down  and  played 
several  tunes,  glancing  occasionally  at  him  ;  his  eyes  were  still 
fixed  on  me.  At  length,  as  I  passed,  he  uttered  a  sound  like 
"  tliank"  and  retired  as  silently  as  he  came.  I  have  never 
since  seen  so  perfect  and  interesting  a  specimen  of  his  race. 
There  was  something  inexpressibly  lofty  and  graceful  in  his  air. 

On  our  next  visit  to  the  city,  Flora  asked  me,  with  almost 
apparent  blushes,  "  if  she  could  take  a  partner  ;"  and  I  was  made 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  239 

to  understand  that  Kit,  a  stevedore,  had  solicited  her  hand. 
Of  course  I  could  make  no  objection,  though  losing  some  valu 
able  services  by  the  plan  5  arid  preparations  were  made  for  the 
wedding,  which  she  chose  to  have  performed  in  the  wash-kitchen 
instead  of  our  parlor.  The  floor  was  nicely  scrubbed,  seats 
placed  around,  and  the  tin  candlesticks  on  the  wall  ornamented 
with  sprigs  of  green.  When  all  was  ready  we  were  invited  out 
with  the  clergyman,  who,  as  usual,  was  chosen  by  the  bride. 
The  room  was  lined  with  guests.  As  we  entered  the  bride  and 
groom  rose,  attended  by  six  groomsmen  and  six  bridemaids,  the 
latter  dressed  in  white,  with  flowers,  riband,  or  tarnished  silver 
and  gold  sprigs  in  their  hair.  The  minister  proceeded  in  the 
ceremony,  and  at  length  told  them  to  join  their  right  hands. 
The  handmaidens  were  pretty  expert  in  drawing  off  Flora's 
glove,  as  her  hands  were  soft  as  mine  ;  but  Kit  was  the  very 
image  of  helplessness.  He  looked  as  if  he  longed  to  give  the 
glove  (it  was  clinging  white  cotton)  a  pull,  but  etiquette  for 
bade.  His  arm  was  extended,  and  his  palm  open,  in  a  kind  of 
spasmodic  motion,  as  the  head  groomsman  tugged  at  the  fore 
finger.  By  degrees  his  aids  came  up,  until  there  was  one  at 
each  digit,  while  a  sixth  directed  ;  but,  the  more  they  pulled, 
the  more  the  glove  "would  not  stay  pulled."  The  bridemaids 
began  to  titter,  and  Flora,  losing  her  patience,  said,  "  Pull  it  off 
yourself,  Kit ;"  but  the  superintendent  of  the  ceremony  waved 
her  off  solemnly,  and,  after  picking  a  while  upon  the  thumb  and 
fingers,  the  tenacious  glove  yielded,  and  by  :'  a  long  pull,  a 
strong  pull,  and  a  pull  altogether,"  Kit's  brawny  hand  was  laid 
bare,  and  grasped  that  of  the  more  delicate  Flora.  The  cere 
mony  proceeded  without  further  impediment,  and,  shaking  hands 
with  the  bride,  we  returned  to  the  house.  As  we  left  the  thresh 
old  of  the  wash-room,  the  whole*  party  shouted  forth  a  Methodist 
hymn.  It  was  a  solemn  and  affecting  sound,  and  I  felt  it  to  be 


240  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

a  rebuke  to  the  vapid  jests  that  so  often  circulate  after  more 
imposing  ceremonials.  Wine  and  cake  were  sent  us  imme 
diately  after,  and  a  whole  iced  cake  presented  to  the  minister  the 
following  day,  according  to  the  usual  custom  among  the  colored 
people  in  the  city.  Mamma  and  I  were  introduced  to  the 
bride's  chamber,  which  was  neatly  set  off  with  white  curtains 
and  toilet  cover.  I  have  sometimes  seen  the  apartments  of 
colored  brides  decorated  with  evergreens. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

THE    DEER    HUNT. 

"  Hark !  from  yon  covert  where  those  towering  oaks 
Above  the  humble  copse  aspiring  rise, 
What  glorious  triumphs  burst  in  every  gale 
Upon  our  ravish'd  ears !    The  hunters  shout, 
The  clanging  horns  swell  their  sweet  winding  notes. 
The  pack  wide  opening  load  the  trembling  air 
With  various  melody  ;  from  tree  to  tree 
The  propagated  cry  redoubling  bounds, 
And  wingM  zephyrs  waft  the  floating  joy 
Through  all  the  regions  near !" 

The  Chase. 

WINTER  in  Carolina  comes  with  no  stern  aspect ;  she  loves 
the  merry  dance  by  the  lightwood  knots  thrown  on  the  spa 
cious  hearth,  and  sunny  nature  woos  us  from  without,  where 
flowers  scarcely  blighted  and  the  huntsman's  horn  are  kindly 
substitutes  for  glittering  frostwork  and  noisy  sleigh-bells.  Often, 
in  childhood,  when  I  had  heard  the  stir  and  preparation  for  the 
chase,  I  had  longed  to  take  a  part ;  and  when,  on  a  bright  win 
ter  morning,  I  saw  parties  move  off,  I  was  almost  tempted  to 
spring  on  my  own  good  steed,  and  follow  through  the  avenue. 
As  I  advanced  in  years,  and  felt  perfect  confidence  in  my  own 
skill  in  horsemanship,  I  frequently  urged  papa  to  allow  me  to 
accompany  him  ;  but  he  objected  on  the  score  of  the  dangerous 
character  of  our  woods  for  one  in  female  attire  on  horseback. 
In  the  holydays  of  this  season,  Bell  Wilson  (who,  by-the-way, 
had  attained  the  rare  accomplishment  of  being  able  to  discharge 

11 


242  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

a  fowling-piece)  and  I  rallied  our  forces  for  a  last  attack,  and 
one  evening,  seconded  by  my  brothers  and  Marion,  we  suc 
ceeded  in  obtaining  an  unwilling  consent  from  papa  to  accom 
pany  his  party  the  following  day. 

Jim,  who  was,  in  his  way,  the  soul  of  the  hunting  enterprises 
at  Roseland,  awoke  us  early,  and  we  soon  heard  papa's  horn  on 
the  piazza,  the  notes  of  which  were  answered  by  the  joyful 
tongues  of  the  beagles,  and  by  the  horns  of  the  neighboring- 
sportsmen. 

We  ran  down  to  breakfast,  scarcely  able  to  eat  from  the  ex 
citement  of  the  scene,  as  my  brothers  and  our  friends  came  in 
equipped  for  the  hunt.  The  usual  dress  of  a  hunter  is  composed 
of  a  cap.  a  frockcoat.  reaching  half-way  between  the  hips  and  the 
knees,  with  breast-pockets  for  carrying  ammunition,  &c.,  boots, 
spurs,  and  blowing-horn.  This  last  appendage  is  suspended  from 
the  right  shoulder,  the  horn  itself  hanging  under  the  left  arm. 
But  dress  is  altogether  a  matter  of  fancy,  and  comical  indeed 
are  some  of  the  figures  which  sally  forth  to  enjoy  the  sport  of 
the  woods. 

The  first  person  who  entered  was  our  neighbor,  Mr.  Plumer, 
an  eccentric  but  intelligent  man,  tall,  excessively  thin,  and 
sharp-visaged,  his  spare  legs  being  inserted  in  military  boots  to 
protect  him  from  the  mud  of  the  swamps.  He  addressed  us 
with  his  usual  joke  of, 

"  Good  morning,  young  ladies.  You  see  I  prefer  hunting  a 
deer  to  hunting  a  dear.  Ha — ha — ha  !" 

Next  came  Mr.  Prentiss,  a  real  townsman,  with  spatterdashes, 
his  hat  on  one  side  of  his  head,  a  fresh  cravat,  and  his  white 
shirt-cuffs  in  full  sight  over  his  Limerick  gloves.  Then  fol 
lowed  Dick  Bradford,  his  broadcloth  leggins  fastened  from  the 
ankle  to  the  knee  with  gilt  buttons,  accompanied  by  Captain 
Rogerson,  with  woollen  ones  tied  above  the  knee  and  around  the 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  243 

ankle  with  flannel  list.  Marion  and  my  brothers  wore  their 
usual  plantation  dress,  with  hunting-coat  and  cap.  They  threw 
a  horn  round  Bell's  neck  and  mine,  exacting  the  promise  that 
we  should  not  use  them. 

Mr.  Plumer,  whistling  to  his  dogs,  and  blowing  his  horn, 
gallopped  off  to  secure  the  best  stand.  Papa  followed,  at 
tended  by  Jim  calling  his  hounds,  and  sounding  his  horn,  to 
announce  to  the  sportsmen  that  he  was  under  way.  The  gen 
tlemen  followed,  leaving  Bell  and  me  with  Richard  and  Marion. 

Collected  at  the  ground  the  hunt  was  arranged.  Mr.  Plu 
mer,  counting  our  forces,  exclaimed, 

"  Let  me  see,  six  of  us  without  Marion  and  Richard,  who  are 
ladies'  men — very  good — -very  good  ;  more  than  that  mars  the 
sport — mars  the  sport.  They  must  mind  the  clears,  while  we 
hunt  the  deers,  ha — ha — ha  !" 

The  boys*  were  directed  how  to  drive.  They  were  to  com 
mence  by  driving  the  swamp,  the  gentlemen  and  ourselves  tak 
ing  up  our  stand  at  the  head  of  the  swamp,  while  they  were  to 
put  in  below,  and  drive  through  to  us.  If  the  dogs  started  and 
ran  back,  the  boys  were  to  stop  them  ;  but  if  they  ran  to  the 
head  of  the  swamp,  they  were  to  scream  behind  them,  and  force 
the  deer  out  to  the  standers.  We  accordingly  proceeded  to  the 
head  of  the  swamp,  and  took  our  stands  every  one  at  his  post. 
The  boys  then  commenced  driving  by  whooping  and  riding 
about  in  the  swamp,  every  now  and  then  speaking  to  and  en 
couraging  the  dogs.  It  was  wonderful  to  me  to  see  the  sympa 
thy  of  the  hounds,  their  diligence  and  docility.  After  driving 
about  for  some  time,  Bounce,  a  cold-nose  dog.  struck  a  trail, 
while  the  boys  encouraged  him,  rode  to  him,  brushed  through 
the  briers  and  bushes,  occasionally  shouting  and  clapping  their 
hands  to  stimulate  the  industrious  animal.  After  working  cold 
*  Common  epithet  for  negro  men. 


244  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

scent  awhile,  Bounce  was  joined  by  Diamond,  Ringwood,  Music, 
Dash,  Killbuck,  Rock,  Luna,  and  Trimbush,  who  alternately 
dropped  in,  working  the  trail  of  an  old  buck  into  the  drive. 
And  now  a  chorus  of  music  burst  forth  from  the  anxious  pack, 
which  momentarily  expected  the  jump  of  the  deer,  while  the 
boys  continued  encouraging  and  urging  them  on. 

Presently  up  bounced  the  old  buck,  the  dogs  burst  forth 
into  full  cry,  the  boys  shouting  "  Mind,  mind  ahead !"  to  ap 
prize  the  sportsmen  that  the  deer  was  up  and  coming.  The 
hunters  then,  every  man  at  his  stand,  drew  themselves  up  to  a 
point  behind  some  large  tree  or  bush,  waiting  with  breathless 
anxiety  the  approach  of  the  deer.  The  dogs  came  bearing 
down  to  us,  roaring  it  in  the  swamp,  giving  their  tongues  at 
every  jump.  Presently  the  old  buck  broke  cover,  and  came 
dashing  by  John  with  the  speed  of  lightning.  My  heart  leaped 
to  my  mouth.  John  sprang  forward,  raised  his  gun,  took  his 
aim,  and  blazed  away  both  barrels  one  after  the  other.  The  old 
buck  faltered  a  moment,  but  kept  his  course.  My  sympathies 
were  stirred  for  the  noble  animal,  and,  as  I  saw  him  bound  on. 
I  uttered  a  shout  of  joy.  The  dogs  came  dashing  after  in  full 
cry,  and  were  with  difficulty  stopped  by  John,  who  blew  his 
horn  and  collected  the  party  ;  each  man  came  galloping  up  to 
the  post  with  the  eager  questions, 

"  Is  he  shot  ?     What  have  you  done  ?" 

"  I  don't  know,"  said  John  ;  "  I  think  I  hit  him.  I  am  sure 
I  saw  him  flounder  at  my  last  barrel  ;  let  us  look  for  blood. 
Give  me  time  to  reload,  and  if  there  is  blood  we  will  hustle 
him." 

By  this  time  Jim,  who  came  first  after  the  dogs,  had  dis 
mounted,  and  was  walking  on  the  track  of  the  deer  looking  for 
blood. 

"  Here  blood,  Maus  John,  for  true,"  said  Jhn,  dashing  away 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  245 

the  brushwood,  and  grinning  from  ear  to  ear ;  "  but  he  an't  too 
much."* 

John  having  reloaded,  the  boys  were  ordered  to  stick  close 
to  the  dogs,  and  if  they  jumped  the  buck,  to  catch  him,  know 
ing  that,  if  badly  wounded,  he  would  not  run  far  before  lying 
down.  The  hunters  then  screamed  to  the  hounds,  who  broke 
off  in  full  cry,  while  we  followed  in  the  chase.  I  strained  my 
sight  onward,  and  again  my  sympathetic  joy  was  roused  as  the 
deer  once  more,  apparently  unhurt,  disappeared  in  the  swamp. 
Our  broken  forces  were  now  rearranged.  Marion,  Richard, 
Bell,  and  I  were  stationed  in  a  cross-road  leading  from  the 
swamp,  where  the  boys,  haviDg  galloped  round,  had  again  com 
menced  driving.  Mr.  Plumer  was  at  the  next  stand  higher  up 
the  road,  the  others  nearer  the  swamp,  but  all  in  sight  of  each 
other.  We  had  not  waited  long  when  we  heard  once  more  the 
hounds  bearing  down  in  full  cry  directly  towards  our  stand. 

"What  music  !  what  music!"  cried  Marion,  in  raptures,  as 
the  pack  set  up  a  renewed  yell. 

I  could  not  but  smile  as  I  remembered  the  remark  of  a  city 
gentleman,  who  once  said,  "  Where  is  the  music  ?  I  hear 
nothing  but  the  barking  of  dogs."  The  deer  continued  to  ap 
proach,  and  now  we  heard  the  crackling  of  the  bushes,  and  now 
the  fine  creature  sprang  in  sight ;  but  as  he  came  within  gun 
shot  of  John,  he  turned  and  took  the  direction  of  the  stand  at 
which  Mr.  Prentiss  was  stationed,  when  lo,  quick  as  thought, 
we  saw  him  on  the  other  side  of  Mr.  Plumer,  having  escaped 
the  shots,  and  come  out  considerably  beyond  the  road. 

"  On,"  shouted  Marion  to  the  hunters  ;  "  if  the  old  buck  gets 
to  the  creek  we  lose  him." 

Mr.  Plumer  had  already  dashed  on,  as  if  for  life,  and  we  fol 
lowed  up  the  road.  The  hounds  then  came  out  in  the  distance, 
*  This  in  negro  dialect  means  there  is  very  little. 


246  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

followed  by  the  drivers  in  a  complete  Grilpin  race,  whooping  and 
screaming;  two  were  on  mules,  the  rest  on  horses.  One  had 
dropped  his  red  cap,  another  his  venison-bag. 

"  There  goes  Jim's  luncheon,"  said  Richard,  as  something 
else  was  seen  to  fall ;  "  that  fellow  never  stirs  without  his  hoe- 
cake." 

"  Young  ladies,"  exclaimed  Marion,  whose  whole  soul  yearned 
for  the  chase,  though  comparatively  restrained  by  our  presence, 
"  you  must  canter  briskly,  or  we  shall  lose  the  sport."  And  as 
he  said  this,  Richard  and  Bell  turned  into  a  cross-road. 

Unfortunately,  as  I  loosed  my  rein,  I  touched  the  horse  with 
my  whip.  I  had  been  warned  that  he  was  an  old  hunter,  but 
forgot  it,  until  he  sprang  forward  and  left  everything  behind. 
I  had  sufficient  presence  of  mind  to  guide  him  aright,  and, 
obedient  to  the  rein,  he  kept  the  road.  The  sound  of  approach 
ing  hoofs  made  him  quicken  his  speed ;  he  appeared  to  fly,  and  I 
became  giddy  with  the  wild  dread  of  consequences  ;  but  Marion 
was  soon  by  my  side,  seizing  the  bridle,  panting,  and  crying, 

"  Hold  fast,  Miss  Wilton,  hold  fast !  We  will  stop  gradually. 
I  knew  my  horse  had  the  speed  of  yours.  Be  firm,  be  firm." 

We  rode  on  at  a  furious  rate  some  short  distance  before  he 
succeeded  in  stopping  the  excited  animal.  When  this  was  ef 
fected,  he  assisted  me  to  dismount,  and  exchanged  his  gentler 
though  spirited  steed  for  mine.  In  the  midst  of  this  little 
transaction  I  perceived  that  the  sport  was  forgotten.  His  eye 
was  bent  on  me  with  such  an  air  of  perplexed  attention  that, 
blushing  and  agitated,  I  shrank  from  his  gaze.  He  glanced  at 
the  ring  on  his  finger,  then  again  at  me  ;  some  associations 
seemed  rushing  through  his  mind,  and  lent  a  melting  brightness 
to  the  half  smile  that  played  upon  his  lips,  while  I,  with  the 
most  awkward  consciousness,  urged  on  my  palfrey.  He  seized 
the  bridle. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  247 

"Stop,  Miss  Wilton,"  he  exclaimed  eagerly.  "  One  word  be 
fore  you  go.  It  must  be  so.  I  feel  an  intuition  of  the  truth. 
Withdraw  not  your  hand  until  I  try  this  precious  ring  on  your 
finger.  Oh,  stay,  dearest  Cornelia,"  he  continued,  as,  conscious 
and  embarrassed.  I  hesitated  for  a  reply.  My  hand  was  in  his, 
the  ring  sparkled  in  the  sun  ;  but  before  he  couxd  measure  its 
little  circlet  Richard  and  Bell  rode  up  briskly,  calling  out, 

"  The  deer  has  been  turned,  we  hear  the  dogs  coming  this 
way." 

"  Oh,  let  him  go,  pray,  let  him  go,"  I  exclaimed  ;  "  he  has 
won  his  life.  I  cannot  bear  to  have  him  killed." 

"  Perhaps  he  will  turn  to  the  river,"  said  Bell ;  "  it  is  on  our 
way,  and  we  will  see  him  foil  these  mighty  Nimrods." 

We  cantered  on,  the  dogs  apparently  not  far  distant.  On 
turning  into  the  public  road  we  beheld  the  deer  coming  directly 
towards  us.  Marion  and  Richard  reined  up,  and  raised  their 
guns,  but  Bell  and  I  screamed,  "  Don't  shoot,  for  mercy's  sake, 
don't  shoot !"  and  they  reluctantly  lowered  them.  The  deer, 
thus  pressed  by  ourselves  in  front  and  by  the  hunters  and  dogs 
in  pursuit,  stood  still,  looked  about  him,  and  seemed  to  hesitate 
for  an  instant.  How  beautiful,  how  majestic  his  appearance  in 
that  attitude  of  reflection  !  Turning  suddenly,  he  bounded 
over  the  fence  into  papa's  oakery,  and,  quick  as  thought,  made 
his  way  towards  the  river.  Baffled  in  their  aim,  the  hunters 
swept  round  to  endeavor  to  arrest  him  at  the  lower  entrance, 
while  we  quickly  entered  a  private  and  shorter  access.  Cross 
ing  a  field  to  the  yard  and  garden,  we  reached  the  river's  edge, 
which  bordered  it,  just  as  the  deer,  swimming  for  life,  was  mak 
ing  his  way  across  the  current.  The  dogs  rushed  on,  the  hun 
ters  firing  ineffectual  shots  in  the  distance,  while  Bell  and  I, 
beneath  a  sycamore,  waved  our  handkerchiefs  in  triumph,  and 
shouted  our  congratulations  as  the  noble  animal  sprang,  appa- 


248        RECOLLECTIONS  OF  A  SOUTHERN  MATRON. 

rently  unhurt,  from  the  water,  and  was  lost  in  the  thickets  on 
the  opposite  bank. 

"  Not  scathed,  by  George."  said  papa  :  "  not  grazed  by  a  single 
shot ;  he  has  won  his  life  nobly  !" 

"  Look  at  Diamond  and  Trimbush,"  cried  mamma,  running 
from  the  house  clown  the  garden-path,  in  an  agony  of  trepida 
tion,  as  the  dogs  came  back,  wet  and  whimpering,  from  their 
ineffectual  chase ;  "  they  are  trampling  my  carnations,  and 
Luna  is  making  a  bed  of  the  wall-flowers." 

Our  attention  was  drawn  away  by  Jim,  who  advanced  with 
the  boys,  and  whose  appearance,  now  that  the  excitement  was 
over,  made  us  shout  with  laughter.  He  was  half  as  large  again 
as  usual,  with  white  cotton  oozing  out  of  divers  apertures  in  his 
dress,  and  the  tail  of  his  fox-skin  cap  flapping  up  and  down  as 
he  rehearsed  with  various  gesticulations,  to  his  companions,  his 
share  of  the  adventures. 

"  Jim,"  exclaimed  Richard,  "  what  a  figure  you  cut." 

'•'  No  cut  'em,  Maus  Dick,  only  stuff  'em,"  said  Jim,  looking 
complacently  on  his  strange  attire,  while,  taking  off  his  fox-skin 
cap  with  the  pendant-tail,  he  scraped  his  foot  to  the  company. 
"  You  see,  maussa,  you  see,  sir,  de  brier  bery  bad,  and  I  jist 
been  put  one  nudder  breeches  on  top  o'  tudder,  tie  him  tight  at 
he  foot,  and  stuff  'tween  em  wid  cotton ;  den  de  brier  just  lick 
de  breeches,  and  an't  hut  me  none  at  all." 

Our  shouts  were  scarcely  over  at  Jim's  statement,  before 
Mr.  Plumer  came  up,  and,  knocking  his  muddy  military  boots 
against  his  gun,  said  to  me,  ':  Ha,  my  dear,  we've  paid  dear  for 
the  deer,  ha — ha — ha  !" 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

AN     EKROR     IN     JUDGMENT, 

"  Sleep  like  a  lover  woo  thee, 

Isabel  ! 
And  golden  dreams  come  to  thee 

Like  a  spell."— N.  P.  WILLIS. 

"  If  thou  remember'st  not  the  slightest  folly 
That  ever  love  did  make  thee  run  into, 
Thou  hast  not  loved." — Midsummer  Night's  Dream. 

MARION  had  no  opportunity  for  private  conversation  with 
me  on  the  evening  of  the  hunt,  but  the  excitement  of  his  feel 
ings  was  obvious  enough  to  the  coolest  eye.  I  saw  his  gaze 
following  me  as  I  moved  ;  his  very  silence,  too,  was  a  language 
until,  on  departing,  he  whispered  the  hope  that  I  might  permit 
him  to  see  me  the  morning  following.  Shall  I  describe  my 
night  of  tumultuous  waking  thoughts  and  busy  dreams  ?  What 
young  heart  has  not  thus  throbbed  as  the  life-decision  hovered 
near,  when  it  could  count  the  hours  before  the  time  which 
must  decide  its  future  destiny  ?  How  hope  colors  up  that  des 
tiny  until  not  a  shade  is  left  on  its  kindled  horizon  !  Amid 
the  glow  of  feeling  on  that  night,  Duncan  rose  to  my  memory. 
I  fancied  I  could  see  the  sweet  approving  smile  which  had 
sometimes  followed  my  girlish  efforts  in  duty ;  again  I  lingered 
in  thought  on  his  last  looks  and  words,  calling  up  his  rich 
monitions,  his  practical  excellence,  and  realizing  anew,  in  my 

11* 


250  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

love  of  virtue,  the  touching  truth  that  good  seeds  are  not 
planted  in  vain  in  the  young  heart,  but  spring  up  vigorous 
and  beautiful  in  after  years.  Mingled  with  these  thoughts 
came  the  sad,  pale  form  of  my  Anna  and  her  lost  Lewis  ; 
and  though  my  tears  had  long  since  ceased  to  flow  for  them, 
they  were  still  pictured  to  me  as  dim  stars  struggling  with 
tempestuous  clouds.  Amid  these  thoughts  I  laid  my  head  on 
my  pillow,  and  soon  a  brighter  image  rose,  and  Marion's  form, 
the  model  of  manly  beauty,  was  before  me,  and  his  eyes,  with 
their  soft  sunshine,  beamed  on  me,  and  his  voice  uttered  its 
words  of  "  truth  and  soberness,"  and  my  heart  seemed  like  a 
song  in  its  lightness,  and  all  pleasant  things  were  before  me  5 
I  knew  that  I  loved,  I  felt  that  I  was  beloved  again,  and  so 
I  slept. 

How  rich  and  bright  was  that  following  morning  ! — there 
was  gladness  in  everything.  The  birds  fancied  that  young 
spring  had  come  ;  and,  as  one  of  our  native  poets  has  beau 
tifully  sung, 

"  In  russet  coat 

Most  homely,  like  true  genius  bursting  forth 

In  spite  of  adverse  fortune,  a  full  choir 

Within  himself,  the  merry  mock-bird  sate, 

Filling  the  air  with  melody — and,  at  times, 

In  the  rapt  fervor  of  his  sweetest  song, 

His  quivering  form  up-sprang  into  the  sky 

In  spiral  circles,  as  if  he  would  catch 

New  powers  from  kindred  warblers  in  the  clouds." 

The  sun  lay  in  a  yellow  glow  on  the  earth,  where  a  few 
blades  still  struggled  with  wintry  frosts,  while  the  roses,  crisp 
and  mottled  like  a  bright  girl's  winter-cheek,  sparkled  in  the 
dew.  And  the  toilet  of  that  morning,  why  was  it  so  agitated 
and  yet  so  lingering  ?  Why  did  my  half-combed  hair  hang 
in  its  waves,  while  I,  forgetful  of  its  braids,  looked  out  on  sky 
and  field,  and  knew  not  that  I  looked  ?  Why  did  I  clasp  my 


SOUTHERN    MATROX.  251 

hands  upon  my  heart  as  if  to  soothe  its  tumult,  and  yet  garner 
up  thoughts  that  set  its  full  tide  flowing  ?  Why  did  the  riband 
that  Marion  had  praised  seem  like  a  relic,  while  the  sigh  that 
rose  over  a  faded  flower  which  he  had  given  ine  was  as  warm  as 
the  devotee's  in  her  most  rapt  devotion  ?  Oh,  gentle  genius  of 
youthful  love,  floating  in  clouds  of  light  and  beauty  around  the 
trusting  heart,  thou  canst  tell  ! 

Let  me  receive  all  praise  that  I  committed  none  of  the  al 
leged  crimes  of  lovers  at  the  breakfast-table.  No  spilled  coffee 
can  be  laid  to  my  charge.  I  did  not  put  butter  instead  of 
sugar  into  papa's  tea,  or  say  yes,  madam,  when  I  should  have 
said  no,  sir.  Having  a  little  of  the  pride  of  good  sense,  I  did 
not  depart  from  social  usefulness,  but  assisted  mamma  in  wash 
ing  the  cups,  brushed  papa's  hat,  arranged  the  flowers,  and  went 
through  my  little  routine  of  household  duty  without  a  mistake. 
At  length,  all  was  done.  Papa  and  my  brothers  went  out  on 
their  various  errands,  mamma  walked  to  the  river-side  to  her 
dairy,  and  I  was  left  alone.  Then  I  began  to  feel  an  unwonted 
tremor.  I  could  not  read  or  sew  ;  I  shrank  from  walking  in 
the  piazza,  because  there  I  should  first  see  Marion  ;  I  would 
not  go  into  the  garden,  because  it  would  look  like  avoiding  him. 
A  sudden  thought  struck  me.  With  a  mixed  feeling  of  frolic 
and  agitation  I  ordered  my  horse  to  be  saddled,  and  ran  up 
stairs  to  a  remote  closet,  where  my  riding-dress  and  hat  had 
been  banished  after  my  fall  in  the  ditch.  There  they  were — 
the  same  splashes  of  mud  on  the  habit,  the  same  dangling  black 
feathers,  the  same  crushed  wire  and  stifl7  veil.  Dressing 
cjuickly,  I  rang  for  Jim,  whom  I  made  partially  my  confidant. 
All  Jim's  politeness  could  not  prevent  him  from  laughing  out 
at  the  appearance  I  exhibited. 

"  Ki  !"  shouted  he  ;  "  Miss  Neely  look  more  worser  dan  she 
did  when  she  tumble  head  over  heel.     De  jacket  too  leetle,  and 


252  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

de  sleeve  an't  fetch  to  de  wrist.  Miss  Neely  been  scare  de 
crow !" 

I  asked  Jim  if  lie  was  certain  that  Mr.  Marion  always  took 
the  private  path  across  the  fields  fron  our  aVenue  ;  and  having 
ascertained  this  fact,  I  threw  a  large  shawl  over  my  shoulders, 
put  a  fresh  veil  above  the  soiled  one,  mounted  my  horse,  and, 
followed  by  Jim,  with  a  beating  heart  cantered  down  the 
avenue. 

Jim  was  very  eloquent  respecting  the  events  of  the  day  pre 
vious,  but  I  scarcely  heard  his  details ;  and  when  I  had  fairly 
reached  the  cross-road  my  mind  misgave  me. 

He  will 'think  me  forward  and  bold,  thought  I,  to  come  and 
meet  him  thus ;  there  is  something  too  farcical  in  this  attire, 
ill-suited  to  maiden  modesty.  And  thinking  thus,  my  whole 
heart  began  to  sink  within  me  at  the  bare  idea  of  forfeiting  his 
esteem  by  indelicacy. 

"  I  must  turn  back,  Jim,"  said  I,  hastily  ;  "  I  feel  faint,  and 
must  go  home." 

"  Wha  fo  you  been  go,  Miss  Neely  ?"  said  he.  "  See  Maus 
Marion  be  here.  He'm  jis  been  tak  de  short  cut  round  de 
corner.  You  no  be  want  for  shee  urn  ?"  And  he  showed  all 
his  teeth  in  laughing  as  he  surveyed  my  dress  again. 

"  Not  for  the  world,  Jim,"  cried  I,  "  would  I  have  him  see 
me.  I  shall  die  if  he  does/'  I  continued,  in  uncontrolled  agita 
tion — and  turning  my  horse,  I  urged  him  to  a  gallop. 

If  I  can  only  get  home  one  minute  before  him,  thought  I, 
and  change  my  dress.  And  I  screamed,  "  Go  on,  Jim,  and 
open  both  the  gates.  Quick  !  quick  !  I  am  frightened,  I  am 
ill  !  Oh,  what  a  fool  he  will  think  me  !" 

Jim.  frightened  himself  at  my  violence,  readily  obeyed. 

But  the  same  good  steed  with  which  Marion  once  before 
overtook  me  was  speeding  on.  My  head  snapped,  my  face  was 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  253 

in  a  blaze,  and,  as  if  to  complete  my  trials,  the  shawl  and  veil 
which  I  had  put  on  loosely  in  order  to  remove  them  quickly 
caught  in  the  bushes.  I  sprang  from  the  horse  and  let  him 
pass  on,  hoping  that  Marion  might  pursue  him  while  I  hid  in 
the  shrubbery  near  by  ;  alas,  he  had  seen  me ;  with  the  speed 
of  lightning  he  approached  and  dismounted,  and  I,  foolish  girl 
that  I  was,  hid  my  face  upon  a  stump  of  a  tree  that  was  near, 
and  burst  into  tears. 

"  Good  heavens  !"  exclaimed  Marion ;  "  what  can  this 
mean  ?" 

I  could  not  answer,  and  I  was  ashamed  to  look  up.  He 
scarcely  knew  what  to  do — at  length  he  said,  in  a  low  voice, 

"  This  is  a  singular  vision !     Can  it  be  Miss  Wilton  ?" 

"  Yes,"  said  I,  sobbing.  "  Oh,  it  is  so  silly !  I  am  so 
ashamed  !" 

In  a  moment  he  was  by  my  side,  and  kneeling  there,  he  laid 
aside  my  bonnet,  and  wiped  away  my  tears,  and  I  did  not  for 
bid  him. 

c;  Fear  not  to  weep  before  me,  dearest,"  he  said.  "  It  is  the 
privilege  of  love  to  wipe  tears — smiles  are  for  the  crowd;  but 
you  have  no  need  of  tears,  Cornelia ;  I  would  rather  see  this" 
(and  he  took  my  soiled  hat  from  the  ground  and  kissed  it  rev 
erently)  "  than  the  tiara  of  a  princess." 

My  hand  lay  in  his ;  he  gently  transferred  the  cherished  ring 
to  my  finger,  and  pressed  his  lips  one  moment  on  its  glittering 
surface.  There  was  no  need  of  explanation ;  heart  whispered 
to  heart  its  own  story,  and  so  thought  Jim ;  for,  galloping  back 
with  my  horse,  he  put  his  head  among  the  bushes,  and  seeing 
the  posture  of  affairs,  tied  him  to  a  tree,  and  rode  quietly  away. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

A  DEPARTURE  AND  AN  INTRODUCTION. 

"  A  mother's  love  !— oh  !  thou  knowest  not  how  much  of  feeling  lies 
In  those  sweet  words  ;  the  hopes,  the  fears,  the  daily  strengthening  .ies; 
It  lives  ere  yet  the  infant  draws  its  earliest  vital  breath, 
And  dies  but  when  the  mother's  heart  chills  in  the  grasp  of  death." 

EMMA  C.  EMBURY. 

"  Mother,  whatever  griefs  may  fret, 
Cares  entangle,  sins  beset 
This  thy  daughter,  and  with  tears 
Stain  her  cheek  in  future  years, 
Heavenly  succor,  not  denied 
To  the  babe,  whatever  betide, 
Will  to  the  woman  be  supplied." 

WORDSWORTH. 

MUCH  has  been  said  of  the  manoeuvring  of  mothers  to  obtain 
settlements  for  their  daughters  ;  but  the  class  is  infinitely  larger 
of  those  parents  who  feel  as  if  their  girls  were  still  in  childhood, 
and  who  wake  up  as  if  from  a  dream,  on  finding  that  the  beings 
who  have  lain  in  their  bosoms,  and  walked  the  path  of  opening 
life,  and  surrounded  the  household  hearth,  and  been  close  as  the 
very  air  they  breathed,  are  suddenly  wrenched  from  them  by  a 
stronger  tie,  the  love  of  years  torn  up  by  the  very  roots,  and 
transplanted  to  a  stranger's  heart. 

Such  was  the  shock  .that  mamma  received  in  her  tranquil 
routine  of  duty.  The  possibility  of  my  belonging  to  another 
was  like  an  earthquake  to  her.  I  had  been  cherished  like  a 
tree  of  her  own  planting,  beneath  which  she  was  to  repose;  it 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  ZOO 

was  strange  to  her  that  other  hands  should  gather  its  blossoms 
and  fruits.  My  dear  mother !  she  took  me  to  her  arms  and 
wept — she  to  whom  tears  were  so  rare  !  All  that  day  she 
drooped  in  her  duties ;  her  brow  was  thoughtful ;  she  sighed 
often,  and  seemed  like  one  struggling  with  a  burden.  But 
Marion  soon  reconciled  her  to  love's  destiny  by  tender  assidui 
ties,  and  she  felt  that  she  had  gained  a  son  in  the  partial  loss 
of  a  daughter. 

Papa  was  equally  astonished  at  a  result  which  might  have 
been  foreseen  with  much  less  acuteness  than  he  possessed  ;  but 
the  eifect  on  him  was  to  produce  a  volley  of  jokes,  that  sent  the 
blood  rushing  to  my  cheeks,  and  disconcerted  Marion,  upon 
whose  plate,  at  dinner,  mamma,  in  compensatory  kindness,  piled 
a  mass  of  food  like  a  Grecian  hecatomb.  Was  it  wonderful  that 
Marion  should  gain  my  consent  to  escape  from  this  notoriety 
to  a  secluded  tete-a-tete  on  the  evening  of  that  eventful  day, 
where,  unobserved,  the  "course  of  our  true  love"  might  be 
traced  from  its  first  slight  fountain  of  preference  ? 

"  My  mother  must  see  you,  Cornelia,"  said  he.  "  I  feel  like 
a  miser  until  I  have  revealed  my  treasure  to  her,  and  Ellen  too, 
and  my  father.  I  thank  Heaven,  dearest,  that  you  will  be  ap 
preciated  in  my  home !" 

So  an  early  day  was  appointed  for  a  visit  to  Winnapee,  Mr. 
Marion's  plantation,  situated  in  one  of  the  eastern  parishes. 

We  left  Roseland  in  a  row-boat  for  the  city,  where  a  carriage 
was  to  meet  us  on  the  following  morning,  to  conduct  us  on  our 
remaining  way.  The  followers  of  Columbus  would  have  been 
glad  of  the  provisions  with  which  mamma  supplied  us  for  this 
half-day^  excursion.  I  cannot  say  much  for  the  animation  of 
our  party,  notwithstanding  Richard  and  John  were  with  us.  A 
first  love,  a  new  joy,  are  serious  ;  and  a  tender  and  solemn  moral 
seems  to  spring  from  this  peculiarity  of  the  human  tempera- 


256  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

ment.  What  philosophy  would  ever  portray  happiness  with 
laughing  eyes  and  dancing  movements  ?  Beautiful  happiness  ! 
I  own,  a  smile  is  on  her  lip.  but  it  is  like  the  lining  of  a  sable 
cloud ;  her  eyes  are  bright,  but  they  look  forward  to  hope  or 
back  on  memory  still ;  &rie  shuts  up  her  bosom's  thoughts,  with 
a  presentiment  that  they  may  fly  if  the  door  of  their  cage  is 
loosed ;  her  foot  treads  carefully  on  the  flowers  at  her  feet,  lest 
she  should  crush  them ;  over  those  very  flowers  a  tear  some 
times  glances  (for  happiness  has  tears),  and  their  petals  heave 
in  the  throbs  of  the  heart,  near  which  they  are  enshrined. 

Alas  for  those  who  are  condemned  to  a  companionship  with 
lovers  !  John  and  Richard  talked  over  their  hunting  experi 
ences,  discussed  all  the  characters  in  the  parish,  predicted  the 
crops,  sang  snatches  of  tunes,  partook  of  mamma's  dainties,  and 
yawned.  As  for  me,  I  saw  a  transparency  in  the  waters  that 
pictured  the  wintry  boughs  along  the  shore,  lending  them  a 
charm  unseen  before  ;  I  saw  a  purer  blue  in  the  sunny  sky,  and 
the  white  clouds  that  were  reflected  in  the  river  were  like  rich 
pillows  for  reposing  angels ;  the  couching  birds,  that  sprang  up 
at  the  dash  of  the  oars,  seemed  painted  with  new  colors,  and 
their  flight  was  airy  as  if  they  followed  the  bidding  of  a  loved 
one  ;  the  oarsman's  stroke  dwelt  on  the  silent  air  like  music ; 
there  was  harmony  in  the  crackling  bushes,  when,  as  we  neared 
the  shore,  some  startled  animal  bounded  away,  and  all  nature 
was  to  me  like  an  infolding  mantle  of  love  and  tenderness. 

I  had  often  before  this  day  been  sheltered  from  the  winter 
breeze  by  some  kind  hand ;  my  cloak  had  been  wrapped  around 
me  with  equal  care,  and  others  had  sought  my  eyes  to  know 
their  faintest  wishes.  Why,  then,  was  all  thus  bright  and  fresh 
to  my  vision  ?  What  made  the  circumstance  still  more  unac 
countable  was,  that  John  and  Richard  wrapped  themselves  in 
their  boat-cloaks  and  fell  asleep. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  257 

A  shower  came  on  before  we  reached  town,  but  even  this  waa 
not  altogether  to  be  deprecated.  There  were  so  many  oppor 
tunities  to  show  a  kind,  considerate  attention,  and  to  make  one 
feel  as  if  one  was  all  the  world  to  a  loving  heart ! 

On  the  following  morning  we  proceeded  in  Mr.  Marion's  car 
riage.  Vegetation  on  the  Cooper  river  varies  from  that  on  the 
Ashley.  Instead  of  wooded  banks,  long  tracts  of  land  are  de 
voted  to  rice-culture.  In  the  winter  these  appear  dreary 
enough,  except  to  the  planter,  who  sees  a  promise  hidden  to 
common  eyes,  and  to  the  sportsman,  who  detects  game  in  ditches 
and  on  banks.  At  some  seasons  of  the  year,  those  immense 
fields  are  very  attractive.  More  extended  than  the  domains  of 
many  a  feudal  baron,  arranged  with  almost  military  order  and 
neatness,  in  spring  the  rich  green  of  the  rice-blades  lies,  as  far 
as  the  eye  can  reach,  in  velvet  softness,  while  in  autumn  its 
golden  grains  wave  to  the  winds  beneath  the  untiring  sunshine. 

My  brothers  were  on  horseback.  There  is  something  very 
animating  in  this  style  of  companionship  :  the  sudden  gallop  by 
the  side  of  the  carriage,  to  tell  a  joke  or  make  a  remark  on  the 
scenery  ;  the  picturesque  air  of  the  riders,  as  they  recede  from 
sight  or  check  their  spirited  steeds  to  be  overtaken ;  the  con 
scious  air  of  a  horseman,  as  he  wields  the  bridle  and  makes  a 
graceful  curvet — these  things  give  life  and  spirit  to  a  country 
drive :  and  my  brothers,  glad  to  be  relieved  from  the  monotony 
of  the  boat,  added  to  the  interest  by  the  glee  of  unobserved  re 
tirement.  The  inclemency  of  the  previous  day  was  followed  by 
a  mild  and  balmy  atmosphere,  which,  in  some  moods  of  physi 
cal  temperament,  sends  a  re  very  over  the  soul.  Marion  and  I 
glanced  from  subject  to  subject,  testing  our  new  sympathies  : 
mused  upon  unexpressed  thoughts,  gazed  together  upon  the 
woods,  or  traced  the  Etiwan*  through  their  openings.  How 
*  Indian  name  for  Cooper  river. 


258  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

happy  is  that  intercourse  where  no  obligation  is  felt  to  converse  ; 
where  the  heart  breaks  forth  from  the  lips  in  unfettered  excla 
mations  of  joy  and  tenderness,  then  sinks  back  to  realize  its  joy, 
and  fosters  its  tenderness  in  silence,  and  looks  again  to  nature 
for  sympathy ! 

The  buds  of  a  mild  February  (which  belongs  to  a  Southern 
spring)  were  struggling  with  the  stiffened  leaves  of  winter,  which 
the  frost  had  tinged,  but  not  severed  from  their  branches  ;  the 
soft  gray  of  the  floating  moss  prevailed  in  its  hue  over  the  yet 
sheathed  foliage,  and  a  misty  atmosphere,  shading  down  the 
sunbeams,  suited  well  this  sober  livery  of  nature ;  the  scanty 
foliage  revealed  the  squirrel  and  the  red-bird,  as  they  sprang 
from  branch  to  branch ;  the  Etiwan,  playing  like  a  truant  child, 
wound  brightly  in  eccentric  turns,  so  abruptly,  that  the  shores 
often  looked  like  clustering  islands ;  the  broad  rice-fields  lay 
ready  for  the  genial  moment  when  the  planter  should  sow  his 
grain,  and  their  trimmed  banks  spoke  of  agricultural  care ;  the 
crows  clustered  in  the  old  oaks  with  their  social  cawings ;  the 
blackbird  chattered  near,  and  then,  startled  by  our  approach, 
swept  off  like  a  light  cloud  on  the  heavens  ;  now  a  solitary  craric 
on  the  marshes  stretched  up  its  long  neck  to  listen,  and  then, 
with  flapping  wings,  soared  away  ;  while  the  small  gray  sparrow, 
with  tripping  steps,  and  irregular  flight,  ascended  and  descended 
on  the  plains. 

The  course  of  our  journey  brought  us  to  a  ferry.  There  is 
something  infinitely  more  romantic  in  crossing  a  ferry  than  in 
rumbling  over  a  bridge  at  full  speed  ;  and,  whatever  utilitarians 
may  say,  I  cannot  but  enjoy  the  loitering  half-hour  when  the 
negroes,  with  lazy  movement,  ply  the  oar,  while  the  lumbering 
boat,  yielding  to  the  current,  like  a  good  manoeuvre!',  but  to 
obtain  the  mastery,  nears  the  shore.  Yes  ;  let  us  lovers  of 
leisure  gaze  up  and  down  our  placid  streams,  in  thoughts  per- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  259 

chance  listless,  perchance  wise,  soothed  by  the  plash  of  the  oar 
or  the  ripple  of  the  wave — and  who  knows  fyut  we  shall  gain  as 
much  in  the  end  as  they  who  glide  over  space  like  lightning, 
and  before  whom  objects  appear  as  the  shadow  of  a  flying  bircl 
in  the  sunshine. 

Feeling  the  necessity  of  refreshment,  we  alighted  for  a  while 
beneath  a  tree  by  the  roadside,  for  a  maroon.  While  the  men- 
servants  spread  a  table-cloth  on  the  ground,  Flora  withdrew 
from  their  concealment  mamma's  cold  fowl  and  ham,  and  the 
gentlemen  laid  their  cloaks  for  seats.  We  were  soon,  despite 
of  sentiment,  reclining  on  them,  with  good  appetites  and  merry 
faces  ;  the  dogs  wheeled  round  us  in  antic  gambols,  or  looked, 
with  eager  eyes,  at  the  morsels  we  threw  them  ;  the  birds 
hopped  almost  to  where  we  sat ;  the  stealthy  squirrel  peeped  as 
he  climbed  the  neighboring  tree,  and  the  changing  lizard  ran  on 
the  old  Virginia  fence  unscared. 

The  merry  meal  was  over,  and  we  resumed  our  drive.  There 
are  few  girls,  however  self-possessed  they  may  be,  who  are  not 
somewhat  abashed,  under  circumstances  like  mine,  with  the  ex 
pected  introduction  to  strangers  ;  but  I  had  prepared  myself 
for  the  occasion.  As  we  approached  the  residence  of  Arthur's 
parents,  a  glance  told  me  that  there  was  a  study  of  elegance 
and  form  in  its  proprietors.  I  sat  unconsciously  more  erect 
when  the  gray-headed,  liveried  porter,  with  a  subdued  welcome, 
and  a  bow  which  would  not  have  dishonored  Sir  Charles  Gran- 
dison,  held  the  gate  for  us  to  pass  through  to  the  court.  I 
thought,  for  the  first  time,  how  often  I  had  seen  Jim,  in  an  old 
jacket,  displace  the  regular  servant,  and  saunter  or  rush  to  the 
gate  to  admit  visitors,  perhaps  attended  by  three  or  four  dirty 
little  urchins,  while  the  harangue  which  he  gave  them  on  man 
ners  drew  but  the  more  attention  to  their  dishabille.  I  remem 
bered  how  his  unceremonious  box  on  their  ears  had  sent  them 


260  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

off  roaring  with  a  noise  quite  disproportioned  to  their  pain,  and 
I  resolved,  on  my  return,  to  reform  abuses,  and  to  restore  the 
regime  of  my  grandmamma,  who  had  been  a  great  lover  of  form, 
and  who  used  to  say  that  the  affections  were  never  crushed  by 
being  clothed  in  good  manners,  and  that  respect  for  others  pro 
duced  self-respect. 

I  was  soon  folded  in  the  arms  of  Arthur's  family.  If  any 
thing,  the  embrace  was  too  soft  and  measured  ;  too  much  like 
the  porter's  bow,  the  gravelled  walk,  the  trimmed  shrubbery ; 
but  I  afterward  found,  as  grandmamma  had  said,  that  this  pol 
ish  crushed  no  actual  warmth  of  tho  heart. 

I  retired  quickly  to  dress  for  dinner,  and  found  that  Flora 
had  unfolded  a  new  frock  which  I  had  taken  from  the  mantua- 
maker  in  the  city.  I  perceived  that  it  was  too  showy  for  the 
occasion  ;  but  it  was  too  late  to  look  for  another,  and,  to  add 
to  my  troubles,  it  did  not  fit ;  Flora's  strength  and  skill  were 
called  in  requisition  to  make  it  meet,  and  she  at  length  suc 
ceeded.  Fluttered  and  vexed,  I  heard  the  summons  to  dinner, 
and,  pulling  on  a  pair  of  new  gloves,  descended  to  the  drawing- 
room,  where  Ellen  Marion  was  seated  in  the  most  simple  and 
elegant  repose.  I  am  sure  of  the  sympathy  of  my  female  read 
ers,  who,  whatever  may  be  their  station  in  society,  have,  I  doubt 
not,  been  over-dressed  at  least  once  in  their  lives.  Who  can 
forget  the  first  pang  at  the  suspicion  of  the  fact ;  the  furtive 
glance  around  the  company,  to  ascertain  some  companionship 
in  finery  ;  the  earnest  gaze  at  every  new-comer,  in  hope  that 
some  extra  ribbon  or  lace  may  be  displayed ;  and  then  the  set 
tling  down  into  the  conviction  that  one  is  altogether  out  of 
taste,  while  the  blush  that  began  on  the  cheek  spreads  and  deep 
ens,  till  the  forehead  glows  and  the  fingers  tingle  ? 

Arthur's  father  waited  on  me  to  the  dining-room  (I  used  to 
hate  these  handings-in  when  I  was  a  girl),  and  seated  me  with 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  261 

my  back  to  a  blazing  fire.  My  gloves  were  not  yet  fairly  on, 
but  looked  like  extra  joints  at  every  finger,  and  my  silk  rustled 
like  a  patch  of  corn-broom  in  a  breeze  ;  I  felt  as  if  I  were  all 
gloves  and  silk  ;  and  longed  for  our  home  voices  to  break  in  on 
the  soft  and  measured  cadence  of  the  Marions.  I  allowed  my 
self  to  be  helped  to  everything  I  did  not  like,  and,  to  complete 
my  despair,  tipped  my  well-filled  plate  into  my  lap,  where  I 
had  neglected  to  lay  a  napkin,  and  was  obliged  to  have  it 
spooned  up  from  my  new  silk.  So  much  for  first  impressions 
on  my  lover's  relations,  and  so  much  for  my  late  boast  of  self- 
possession  ! 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

THE    E  E  T  U  UN. 

"  He  raised  his  veil — the  maid  turned  slowly  round — 
Looked  at  him--shriek'd — and  sunk  upon  the  ground." 

MOORK'S  Veiled  Prophet  of  Khorassan. 

A  CHANGE  of  dress,  and  the  delicate  attentions  of  the  Mari 
ons,  soon  restored  my  self-possession  ;  and  the  reaction  pro 
duced  in  me  a  degree  of  vivacity  that  awoke  to  unaccustomed 
tones  the  Chcsterfieldian  echoes  of  Wiimapce.  A  few  delicious 
days  with  Ellen  supplied  to  me  again  poor  Anna's  loss.  How 
quickly  young  thoughts  leap  to  each  other  !  We  talked  the 
long  nights  almost  through  ;  topics  growing  as  we  lifted  the 
veils  of  our  hearts,  and  revealed  their  fresh  hopes  and  memo 
ries.  We  had  marked  the  same  passages  in  books  :  we  pre 
ferred  the  same  songs  ;  we  walked  the  piazza  with  interlacing 
arms,  loving  the  same  glow  and  the  same  shade.  It  was  sweet 
to  lavish  on  Ellen  the  treasures  of  tenderness  I  dared  not  be 
stow  on  Arthur  ;  to  look  on  her  as  his  softened  image,  while  I 
turned  my  eyes  from  him,  and  to  hear  her  unwearied  praises  of 
his  goodness  and  beauty,  each  imparting  a  glory  to  the  other. 

"  I  shall  call  you  my  own  sister,  soon,"  said  Ellen,  with  a 
whisper  that  sent  a  blush  of  joy  to  my  cheeks,  as  with  embraces, 
such  as  dear  friends  give,  we  parted. 

On  reaching  the  close  of  our  journey,  we  observed  a  field  ad- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  263 

joining  our  avenue  on  fire  ;  this  common  and  necessary  occur 
rence  in  agriculture  at  the  South  did  not  surprise  us  ;  but,  on 
entering  the  avenue,  we  were  startled  and  terrified  at  finding 
the  Cherokee  rose-hedge,  which  in  winter  is  very  combustible, 
in  flames.  I  have  mentioned  this  hedge,  I  think,  before. 
Nothing  in  nature  could  exceed  its  beauty  when  in  bloom  in 
the  month  of  April.  For  three  miles  the  long  feelers  of  the 
vine  lifted  themselves  up  or  athwart,  from  five  to  six  feet  in 
height  and  breadth  ;  and  the  eye  knew  not  whether  most  to  ad 
mire  the  glossy  green  of  the  leaves,  or  the  white  blossoms 
which  reposed  on  them  like  wreaths  of  snow.  Here  and  there 
its  long  arms  reached  to  a  neighboring  tree,  and  seemed  to  revel 
while  enfolding  it.  Everywhere  they  stretched  themselves  out 
like  living  things,  waving  to  catch  support  in  their  luxuriance. 
Amid  this  sheet  of  white^the  accustomed  sight  could  detect 
the  lingering  blossoms  of  the  yellow  jasmine,  the  opening  scar 
let  woodbine,  struggling  with  its  fair  but  overpowering  rival, 
while  the  shrub  honeysuckle  threw  out  its  perfume  beneath, 
amid  the  lower  foliage. 

The  piercing  thorn  of  the  Cherokee  rose  renders  it  impene 
trable  by  cattle ;  but  it  harbors  reptiles ;  and  being  somewhat 
unmanageable  in  its  growth,  is  not  a  favorite  with  the  planter. 
No  mere  feeling  of  utility,  however,  would  induce  papa  to  dis 
place  his,  while  it  extorted  a  burst  of  admiration  from  every  be 
holder.  Through  an  unpardonable  carelessness  in  the  negroes, 
they  had  not  guarded  it  from  the  flames  at  the  two  extremities, 
where  it  had  caught,  and  was  raging  furiously ;  thus  shutting 
them  out  from  all  hope  of  escape,  except  through  the  hedge, 
which,  in  many  parts,  was  totally  inaccessible.  We  heard  their 
cries  for  help  without  the  power  to  aid  them.  Fortunately  for 
us,  our  plantation  adjoined  another,  the  avenue  of  which  ran 
parallel  with  our  own  ;  the  hedge  on  the  left  had  not  yet  thor- 


264  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

oughly  caught :  a  slight  embankment  separated  the  two,  with 
ditches  between,  and  the  wind  blew  onward,  not  across  the  road, 
thus  giving  us  comparative  security  in  proceeding.  Arthur 
himself,  taking  the  reins,  struck  at  once  into  this  avenue  and 
drove  at  full  speed.  The  wind  increased,  while  the  crackling 
and  roaring  sound,  the  flying  cinders,  and  the  growing  heat, 
gave  us  a  new  motive  for  flight.  The  hope  of  escaping  the 
flames  was  soon  more  faint,  for  Frank,  the  coachman,  cried  out, 
"  Fire  ahead,  maussa !"  Marion  checked  the  horses  ;  it  was 
true,  the  flames  were  about  to  meet  on  the  right-hand  hedge  of 
papa's  avenue  ;  still  the  left  was  but  partially  ignited,  and  the 
current  of  air  continued  to  blow  from  the  path  we  had  taken.  In 
the  momentary  pause  of  deliberation,  we  heard  a  shriek  from 
the  enclosure  on  the  right.  Merciful  Heaven  !  it  was  Binah's 
voice,  raised  to  a  yell  of  horror,  crying — 

"  Help,  help,  God  Almighty  !  help  Binah.  for  Christ's  sake  ! 
Help  little  Miss  Patsey  !  We  guine  for  burn  up ;  help,  help  !" 

Arthur  hesitated  not  a  moment,  but  I  saw  that  he  turned 
deadly  pale. 

"  You  can  remain  here  a  few  minutes  in  safety,"  said  he  ; 
"the  wind  still  favors  us.  I  will  soon  return."  And  scarcely 
allowing  himself  a  look  at  me,  he  threw  Frank's  cloak  over  his 
head  as  a  protection  against  the  briers,  leaped  the  ditch,  ascended 
the  bank,  with  his  strong  arm  forced  a  passage  through  the  hedge, 
and  disappeared. 

I  scarcely  remember  what  next  occurred  ;  but  a  frantic  vio 
lence  took  possession  of  me,  and  I  would  have  followed  but  for 
Frank's  restraining  arm.  I  watched  the  flakes  that  rose  and 
sailed  off  in  the  distance,  or  caught  some  neighboring  tree.  I. 
saw  the  young  trees  fall,  and  the  flames  curl  round  the  old ;  the 
sound  seemed  like  the  hissing  of  serpents'  tongues  in  mockery, 
and  I  chattered  and  mocked  at  them  in  return.  Those  mo- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  265 

ments  seemed  to  concentrate  ages  of  feeling.  At  length  I  heard 
a  voice,  Arthur's  voice,  calling  for  aid,  but  so  strange  and  un 
natural  !  Frank  had  been  industrious  in  making  a  clearance 
through  the  hedge,  whose  top  began  to  burn  in  various  direc 
tions.  We  climbed  the  bank,  sprang  through  and  found  him. 
He  had  rescued  Patsey,  and  protected  her  with  Frank's  cloak ; 
Binah  had  clung  to  him  as  long  as  life  lasted  ;  but  there  she 
lay,  a  withered  corpse,  while  he  staggered  forward  and  fell.  I 
took  Patsey  in  my  arms  ;  the  frightened  child  clung  sobbing  to 
my  neck,  while  Frank  bore  Arthur  to  the  carriage.  The  flames 
were  now  around  us,  but  love  and  fear  gave  us  power.  Frank 
drove  furiously.  Poor  Arthur  spoke  not ;  blackened  by  the 
smoke,  and  torn  with  briers,  he  lay  helpless  across  the  seats. 
We  were  near  home,  but  the  seconds  seemed  hours.  I  could 
not  caress  my  poor  little  Patsey.  who  pressed  her  cheek  to  my 
bosom  in  silence,  and  trembled  like  an  aspen  leaf.  The  rushing 
smoke  stifled,  the  heated  air  oppressed  me :  and  the  silence  was 
only  interrupted  by  Arthur's  groans.  On  entering  the  court  I 
made  one  more  effort  to  arouse  the  sufferer. 

"  Speak  to  me,  Arthur,"  I  said ;  "  one  word,  only  one,"  but 
his  parched  lips  attempted  utterance  in  vain. 

On  our  arrival  he  was  carried  to  bed,  and  medical  aid 
called  ;  mamma,  in  the  meantime,  prescribing  for  him,  and  al 
lowing  me  to  sit  by  his  side  with  her.  He  could  not  bear  a  ray 
of  light,  and  I  attended  him  in  darkness.  Alas,  I  could  not 
press  his  dear  hand,  nor  cool  his  brain,  nor  touch  his  parched 
lips ;  all  was  agony,  burning,  restless  agony. 

Who  has  not  at  some  moments  of  their  lives  felt  willing  to  lie 
down  and  die  for  a  beloved  one?  At  such  periods  the  grave 
has  seemed  a  sweet  bed  of  repose,  and  death  a  precious  minister 
of  love. 

For  many  days  I  saw  not  the  face  of  my  dear  Arthur.  I 

12 


266  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

retired  with  mamma  while  the  physicians  dressed  his  wounds, 
and  returned  again  to  sit  by  his  side.  Gradually  he  began  to 
utter  words,  and  called  my  name.  I  wept  with  joy  at  the 
blessed  sound ;  then  one  poor  hand  could  press  mine  faintly, 
and  bear  the  soft  language  I  reciprocated.  Slowly  the  light 
was  admitted,  and  I  saw  him ;  but — oh,  my  heart — how 
changed !  The  beauty  of  which  I  was  so  proud  was  gone  ! 
The  rich  hair  no  longer  lay  on  his  noble  brow  ;  and  that  brow, 
once  so  serene,  was  furrowed  by  deeper  lines  than  age  or  sor 
row  can  engrave.  I  should  not  have  known  him !  God  for 
give  me,  but  I  thought  him  hideous.  I  felt  my  blood  curdle, 
and  my  head  swim  with  an  indefinite  terror.  The  poor  sufferer 
did  not  heed  me,  for  his  eyes  were  closed  to  the  light.  I 
thought  my  heart  would  have  burst,  and  rushed  to  my  own  apart 
ment.  I  traversed  it  with  rapid  afceps  ;  I  crushed  my  hands 
upon  my  bosom  to  stop  its  beating,  and  pressed  my  forehead 
to  the  wainscot  to  cool  its  burning!?  I  stamped  in  a-  kind  of 
vindictive  wrath,  and  uttered  words  of  impious  fury.  I  think  I 
was  going  mad,  but  I  grew  faint ;  slow  tears  came  to  me  ;  I  was 
not  left  to  blaspheme ;  I  was  softened ;  they  fell  like  rain,  and 
my  spiritual  triumph  prevailed. 

What,  I  thought,  is  this  perishing  clay  to  an  immortal  ?  His 
frail  beauty  would  at  best  have  lasted  but  a  few  years.  Who 
knows  but  I  should  have  loved  too  fondly  those  dark  eyes, 
whose  intellectual  brightness  struggled  with  their  mellow  ten 
derness  ;  that  mouth  chiselled  to  the  most  perfect  turn  of  manly 
symmetry  ?  My  poor  Arthur  !  I  have  sometimes  feared  that 
your  grasping  intellect  and  exquisite  person  united  placed  you 
too  much  above  me,  that  I  must  worship  you  like  a  bright,  dis 
tant  star  ;  it  is  not  so  now.  I  shall  not  fear  to  lay  your  aching 
head  against  my  heart,  to  smooth  the  lingering  curl  on  your 
fevered  brow,  and  call  you  mine  only. 


SOUTHERN     MATRON.  267 

With  these  thoughts  I  kneeled  in  prayer.  Earth  seemed  a 
vain  thing  to  me  ;  duty  and  Christian  hope  my  birthright. 

"  Arthur,"  said  I,  cheerfully,  as  I  sat  by  his  bedside  a  week 
after,  with  his  hand  in  mine,  parting  the  scanty  hair  on  his  scar 
red  forehead,  "  you  are  not  aware  how  much  you  are  altered  by 
this  sad  accident.  You  asked  yesterday  for  a  glass,  you  must 
be  prepared  for  a  change." 

He  started,  hesitated  a  moment,  and  said,  in  a  low  tone,  "  I 
feared  this.  Can  you  endure  me  ?" 

"  If  I  had  loved  your  beauty  only,"  I  replied,  ''  I  might 
not  have  borne  its  loss  so  well  as  I  do ;  but  while  God  spares 
your  intellect  and  heart,  I  have  still  enough  to  be  proud  of." 

He  looked  thoughtful,  and  said,  "  Is  it  really  come  to  this  ? 
I  have  had  fearful  suspicions  of  it."  His  hand  shook  in  mine 
with  sudden  tremor.  "  U^ve  frequently  desired  to  introduce 
the  subject,"  he  continued,  'laeurnfully,  "  but  had  not  courage. 
You  are  not  aware  that  vanity  has  been  my  besetting  sin.  I 
can  recollect  the  earliest  praise  of  my  beauty.  I  remember 
ladies  taking  me  in  their  arms  when  I  was  a  child,  and  bestow 
ing  on  me  extravagant  expressions  of  endearment  and  praise  ;  I 
remember  my  power  over  young  girls,  who  flattered  me  with 
their  eyes,  when  their  lips  were  too  modest  to  speak ;  my  quick 
ear  has  caught  voices  in  public,  even  of  rude  boys  in  the  street, 
pronouncing  me  beautiful ;  and,  yes,  I  will  confess  all,  I  have 
lingered  over  my  own  miniature  with  a  kind  of  idol-worship.  I 
struggled  with  this  weakness,  and  thought  it  mastered ;  God's 
will  be  done  if  this  dispensation  is  sent  to  punish  me." 

"  Not  to  punish  you,  Arthur,"  said  I,  fondly,  as  I  perceived 
the  nervous  irritability  of  his  feelings,  "  but  it  may  be  to  try 
you,  to  perfect  you,  and  to  reveal  to  you  my  true  love,  which 
asks  for  nothing  in  return  but  yours.  Oh,  if  you  knew  the 
warm  and  brooding  tenderness  that  has*  settled  on  my  heart 


268  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

since  your  misfortune,  you  too  would  say,  it  is  enough  for  me 
it  is  worth  more  than  external  charms  can  buy." 

Arthur  improved  in  his  appearance  and  health.  I  kept  the 
mirror  from  him,  telling  him  that  every  day  diminished  his  dis 
figurement  ;  and  he  cheerfully  assented  to  my  wishes,  while  his 
mind  appeared  to  be  regaining  its  tone. 

"  You  will  be  almost  what  you  were,  dear  Arthur."  I  said  to 
him  one  day  when  he  began  to  despond  ;  "  indeed  I  forget  that 
you  are  not  the  same.  Judge  me  by  yourself:  would  you  look 
at  me  with  less  of  true  love's  preference,  if  I  were  to  be  altered 
by  misfortune  ?" 

He  shuddered,  and  exclaimed,  "  Do  not  mention  it ;  I  can 
not  bear  to  think  of  it."  (I  repeat  his  language,  not  with  van 
ity,  but  to  show  his  intense  love  of  what  he  thought  beautiful.) 
"  Let  me  gaze  on  you ;"  and  he  fixed  liis  melancholy  eyes  full 
on  mine,  "  lest  some  awful  power  should  change  you.  So  long 
as  those  fringed  orbs  beam  in  their  speaking  sweetness ;  so  long 
as  I  can  trace  the  rose-tints  on  your  cheeks,  and  the  deep  bril 
liancy  of  your  lips  5  while  your  braided  hair  lies  thus  in  its 
glossy  folds ;  while  these  soft  hands  are  white  as  sun-tinged 
ivory  ;  while  your  step  glides  around  me,  and  I  can  catch  the  fine 
proportions  of  your  modest  form  ;  while  your  voice  falls  in  sweet 
modulations  on  my  ears,  stirring  up  love's  echoes,  I  will  bear 
God's  dispensations  on  myself;  but  pray,  pray  that  they  may 
stop  before  they  reach  you." 

Arthur  was  at  length  able  to  walk  a  few  steps,  though  in 
great  weakness,  about  his  apartment.  In  my  earnestness  to  as 
sist  him  one  day,  I  forgot  that  he  might  approach  the  looking- 
glass  ;  he  did  so  inadvertently,  glanced  at  himself,  exclaimed, 
<;  My  God  !"  and  fell  senseless. 

He  was  removed  to  his  bed,  requested  his  room  to  be  dark 
ened,  and  the  curtains  drawn  around  it.  while,  without  repulsing 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  '269 

my  attentions,  he  seemed  to  prefer  communing  with  himself  in 
silence.  I  saw  that  a  violent  struggle  was  going  on,  rendered 
more  overwhelming  by  his  physical  weakness.  This  lasted 
some  days. 

•:  Cornelia,"  said  he  to  me  at  length,  in  a  tone  of  bitterness, 
c;  I  intended  to  have  surprised  you  with  a  gift  from  my  poor 
Ellen — a  likeness  of  Arthur  Marion ;  do  you  remember  him  ? 
Look  in  my  writing-desk  and  bring  it  to  me." 

I  went  and  presented  it  with  a  trembling  hand,  not  daring  to 
glance  at  it.  He  told  me  to  open  a  shutter ;  I  did,  and  the 
bright  light  burst  in  on  the  miniature  and  on  him. 

"  Come  here,"  said  he,  sternly  ;  "  come  and  look."  I  obeyed  ; 
the  likeness  was  perfect.  The  girl  who  dreams  of  Endymion 
never  pictured  anything  more  beautiful.  I  glanced  at  Arthur's 
face,  it  was  disfigured  with  conflicting  passions.  I  perceived 
that  this  was  his  last  great  trial,  and  braced  myself  for  the  re 
sult.  He  sat  up  in  the  bed.  to  which  he  had  been  confined 
since  his  fall,  gazed  long  and  earnestly  on  the  picture,  then, 
clinching  it  with  upraised  arm,  dashed  it  against  the  ceiling. 
He  watched  it  as  it  was  shivered  to  atoms;  then,  drawing  the 
bed-clothes  over  his  face,  wept  and  sobbed  aloud. 

I  kneeled  beside  him.  clasped  his  hands  in  mine,  laid  my  head 
on  his  pillow,  and  moaned  as  a  mother  with  her  suffering  child. 
I  prayed  to  God  to  comfort  him,  and  the  prayer  was  accepted. 
It  was  his  last  great  struggle,  and  he  rose  from  it  like  a  man 
and  a  Christian. 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

CHANGES. — WHITE     SERVANTS. 

"  If  obliged  to  attend  to  some  household  affair, 
I  have  scarce  so  much  time  as  to  say  the  Lord's  prayer ; 
This  gives  me  no  trouble  ;  my  dutiful  part 
Is  obedience  to  him,  whom  I  have  at  my  heart 
As  well  at  my  work  as  retiring  to  pray  ; 
And  his  love  does  not  suffer  in  mine  a  decay. 
He  has  taught  me  himself,  that  a  work  which  I  do 
For  his  sake  is  a  prayer  very  real  and  true." 

Poems  of  JOHN  BYROM.  1691. 

I  KNOW  of  no  purer  or  more  sacred  pleasure  than  to  watch 
the  recovery  of  a  beloved  valetudinarian,  to  see  the  eye  light 
up  from  day  to  day,  and  the  grateful  smile  play  round  the  lip  ; 
to  note  the  growing  relish  of  the  delicate  appetite ;  to  support 
the  footsteps  of  the  feeble  one  a  little  farther,  from  effort  to 
effort ;  to  see  the  glance  rest  soothingly  on  a  fresh  flower  ;  to 
hear  the  exclamation  of  joy  at  the  first  view  of  nature,  as  leaning 
on  our  arm,  the  invalid  looks  abroad  ;  to  note  the  strengthen 
ing  mind  yield  itself  up  while  words  of  sacred  truth  or  lighter 
amusement  are  read ;  to  take  the  first  drive,  and  mark  how  the 
breeze  and  sunshine  come  to  the  languid  spirit  as  to  a  drooping 
plant,  lifting  up  its  leaves  of  hope  and  joy. 

It  was  delightful  to  me  to  be  the  minister  of  comfort  to 
Arthur,  and  to  see  the  shadows  pass  off  from  his  clear  thoughts. 
He  was  a  religious  being,  and  it  was  his  comfort  to  throw  his 
cares  on  Him  '•  who  cared  for  him."  The  sight  of  Patsey  was 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHKICN     MAI  HON.  27! 

at  first  painful  to  him,  but  the  dear  child  soon  won  her  way  to 
his  confidence  5  she  laid  her  little  head  on  his  knees,  climbed  to 
his  arms,  and  told  him,  in  childhood's  winning  tones,  her  pleas 
ures  and  troubles.  Her  grief  for  Binah's  loss  was  exceedingly 
aifecting.  She  went  about  the  house  and  grounds  calling  for 
her  mauina,  or  sang  in  low  tones  the  hymns  she  had  taught 
her ;  and  when  the  hour  arrived  when  she  had  been  accustomed 
to  lay  her  flaxen  locks  against  Binah's  sable  cheek,  while  she 
soothed  her  to  sleep,  for  several  nights  a  restless  and  plaintive 
sound  murmured  on  her  lips,  and  an  eager  watching,  as  for 
something  lost,  dwelt  in  her  troubled  eye. 

Marion  regained  with  health  much  of  his  original  symmetry. 
The.  radiance  and  softness  of  his  dark  eyes  were  unquenched, 
and  the  long  lashes  gathered  lovingly  below  them  ;  the  curled 
lip  regained  its  fulness  and  richness,  and  even  the  deep  scar  on 
his  brow  was  hidden  by  the  lock  of  hair  whose  pliant  curl  I 
loved  to  adjust,  when  hej4  forgetful  of  the  defect,  carelessly 
brushed  it  aside. 

There  was  no  obstacle  to  our  marriage.  The  whole  clan  of 
Wiltons  and  Marions  met  at  Roseland.  where  mamma,  revelling 
in  housewifery  cheer,  moved  as  in  a  native  element.  Strange 
to  say,  there  were  but  two  offences  given — one  to  a  maiden 
cousin  of  Arthur's,  who  had  commenced  making  a  nightcap  for 
me  the  day  our  engagement  was  announced  to  her.  It  was  cut 
in  mathematical  forms  of  every  shape  and  size,  embellished  with 
inserting  trimming,  and  finished  with  two  frills  ;  yet,  notwith 
standing  this  token,  she  was  omitted  in  the  invitations.  I  scut 
her  an  extra  slice  of  cake  to  conciliate  her,  but  it  was  returned 
unopened,  and  she  has  never  spoken  to  me  to  this  day.  The 
other  individual  was  a  colored  confectioner  in  the  city,  who  ex 
pected  to  make  my  cake.  The  first  time  I  met  her  after  my 
marriage  she  cut  me,  tossed  up  her  head,  and  passed  on ;  but 


272  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

we  were  reconciled  on  my  bespeaking  my  entertainment  at  my 
first  city  party  from  her. 

Our  summer  was  passed  in  journeying,  and  we  realized  the 
rich  experience  of  happiness  shared  by  individuals  who  sympa 
thize  in  taste  and  feeling.  We  felt  a  thrill  in  common  while 
traversing  the  wild  passes  of  Trenton  Falls  ;  the  mutual  prayer 
burst  from  our  lips  beneath  and  above  Niagara's  torrent ;  we 
clasped  each  other's  hands  on  the  brow  of  the  Green  Hills,  and 
gazed  upward  together  in  awe-struck  homage  at  the  White 
Mountains  ;  and  it  was  with  my  own  Arthur  that  I  wept,  his 
old  father  standing  by,  over  Duncan's  grave.  Unwedded  love 
has  its  jealousies,  and  wills  not  that  even  a  flower  should  be 
prized  too  highly ;  but  wedded  confidence  is  pure  5  knowing  that 
all  is  possessed  of  the  heart's  deep  treasures,  it  gives  and  shares 
with  sober  joy.  Arthur  stood  silently  by  my  side  while  memory 
lent  its  tribute  to  true  and  tender  friendship ;  and  afterward, 
folding  me  in  sympathy  to  his  heart,  prayed  that  he  might  be 
worthy  of  such  tears. 

The  strong  local  attachment  of  negroes  was  developed  in  a 
most  interesting  and  amusing  manner  on  our  journey.  Four 
years  previous  to  my  marriage,  a  patroon,  by-  the  name  of 
Ormsby,  belonging  to  one  of  papa's  schooners,  was  carried  away 
under  mysterious  circumstances,  with  another  negro,  a  simple, 
half-idiot  fellow,  belonging  also  to  papa.  When  their  loss  was 
announced  and  finally  confirmed  on  the  plantation,  it  was  re 
ceived  by  Ormsby's  wife  with  an  apparent  calmness  singularly 
contrasted  with  the  usual  obstreperous  grief  of  her  class.  It 
was  observed,  however,  that  as  day  passed  away  after  day,  she 
never  smiled  ;  and,  though  still  attentive  to  her  duty,  wasted 
away  without  any  symptom  of  disease.  Love  had  been  the 
sun  of  her  existence  as  it  had  been  to  poor  Anna's  more  re 
fined  affection.  The  vase,  though  colored  differently,  glowed 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  273 

by  the  same  light  from  within ;  when  that  light  was  ex 
tinguished,  creation  seemed  dark  to  both.  She  went  to  her 
daily  tasks  heedless  of  the  jests  of  her  lighter-hearted  com 
panions  ;  the  cloud  still  hung  around  her  face  and  over  her 
soul,  and  in  a  year  and  a  half  she  died,  broken-hearted. 

Arthur  and  I  were  attended  in  our  journey  from  the  South 
by  papa's  coachman,  and  in  a  Northern  city  he  unexpectedly 
encountered  Ormsby.  The  poor  patroon  sprang  towards  his 
fellow-servant,  wrung  his  hand,  and  burst  into  tears.  He  was 
conducted  to  me,  and  no  sooner  recognized  me  than  he  fell  on 
his  knees  at  my  feet,  clung  to  my  garments,  burst  into  tears 
anew,  and  thanked  God  that  he  lived  to  see  one  of  our  family 
again.  He  had  been  carried  to  Calcutta,  had  worked  his  way 
back  to  America,  and  was  endeavoring  to  return  to  Carolina. 
I  told  him  that  he  was  at  liberty  to  remain  where  he  was,  but 
he  said  his  only  wish  on  earth  was  to  live  and  die  in  his  master's 
service.  The  idiot  fellow,  who  was  with  him,  manifested  his 
feelings  in  an  uncouth  style,  and  all  his  affections  were  riveted 
on  the  schooner  from  which  he  had  been  forced  away.  On  our 
return,  papa  told  them  that  they  were  at  liberty  to  dispose  of 
their  own  time  as  they  pleased.  The  idiot  rushed  to  his 
schooner,  hugged  the  mast,  kissed  the  rigging,  tossed  up  his  hat 
in  the  air,  hurrahed  ;  then  lying  down  complacently  with  his 
face  to  the  sun,  swore  he  would  live  and  die  there  ;  and  he  kept 
his  word.  Through  the  winter  he  served  as  a  sailor,  and  in 
summer,  when  the  schooner  was  lying  by,  made  her  his  home. 
Ormsby  continued  an  exemplary  servant,  devoted  to  papa's  in 
terests.  Less  romantic  than  his  faithful  wife,  he  married  again, 
as  he  said,  to  be  comfortable,  but  not  until  he  had  raised  a  sim 
ple  slab,  in  the  negro  burial-place  at  Roseland,  to  the  memory 
of  the  broken-hearted  one. 

This  local  feeling  was  also  manifested  in  our  coachman  while 
12* 


274  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

we  were  at  Niagara.  After  the  silent  and  overwhelming  joy 
which  ravished  his  spirit  had  passed  away,  Arthur  said  to 
Mark— 

"  Did  you  ever  see  anything  so  fine  as  this,  boy  ?" 

"  Eh  !  eh !  massa,"  said  the  indignant  fellow,  snapping  his 
fingers,  "  dis  here  can't  show  he  face  to  Couter  Bridge  !" 

Couter  Bridge  consists  of  a  few  planks  thrown  over  a  muddy 
spot  in  the  suburbs  of  Charleston,  a  spot  sacred  to  the  truant 
frolics  of  many  an  errand-boy. 

Amid  our  plans  for  the  future  we  resolved  to  engage  a  white 
female  housekeeper.  A  young  woman  was  recommended  to  us, 
and  her  unfortunate  circumstances  decided  us  to  take  her  to  the 
South.  Her  parents  were  both  intemperate,  and  appropriated 
to  their  sensual  wants  her  daily  earnings.  Saddened  and  dis 
heartened,  unable  to  support,  and  without  the  hope  of  reclaim 
ing  them,  she  resolved  to  accompany  us.  Accidental  engage 
ments  prevented  our  meeting  until  we  were  on  board  the  vessel, 
and  I  was  somewhat  startled  to  find  my  housekeeper  Miss  Lu- 
cilla  Hall,  in  a  cloth  riding-habit,  and  straw  bonnet  fresher  and 
better  than  my  own.  There  was  a  flash  of  self-respect  in  her 
large  dark  eyes,  and  her  dress  was  fitted  to  her  person  with  a 
precision  that  showed  a  determination  to  compete  in  appearance 
with  those  above  her.  She  was  not  actually  graceful  or  ele 
gant,  but  how  could  I  think  of  ordering  such  a  person  ?  I  was 
really  embarrassed,  said  ma'am  to  her  in  my  incertitude,  and 
used  as  much  form,  and  perhaps  more,  than  I  should  to  a  dis 
tinguished  stranger.  Southerners  must  necessarily  experience 
this  awkwardness  from  the  different  mode  in  which  servitude 
exists  in  other  portions  of  the  country.  Lucilla's  discretion 
and  good  sense  soon,  however,  determined  her  level.  She  be 
gan  superintending  my  baggage,  and  sat  at  that  unobtrusive 
distance  where  she  could  be  summoned  without  seeming  to  be 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  275 

a  companion.  The  only  attempt  at  refinement  on  board  the 
vessel  which  did  not  sit  gracefully  on  her,  was  a  conversation 
with  a  passenger,  which  I  accidentally  heard,  on  Walter  Scott's 
last  novel!  How  can  I  ask  her  to  bring  me  a  glass  of  water? 
thought  I ;  and  my  difficulty  in  placing  her  in  the  right  position 
at  home  again  occurred  to  me. 

On  the  evening  of  our  arrival  I  showed  her  her  apartment, 
and  paid  her  every  attention  in  my  power,  which  was  rewarded 
by  her  air  of  happiness  and  content.  I  bade  her  good-night 
cheerfully,  and  left  the  dependant  stranger  to  her  busy  dreams. 
The  next  morning,  as  I  opened  the  parlor  door,  I  found  her 
standing  with  a  newspaper  in  her  hand.  A  deep  red  spot  shone 
on  her  cheek ;  her  eye  flashed  a  moment ;  then,  dropping  the 
paper  and  covering  her  face  with  her  hands,  she  burst  into 
tears,  and  left  the  room. 

I  took  up  the  paper,  and  saw  the  secret  of  her  wounded  feel 
ings  in  the  announcement  of  the  arrival  of  Arthur  Marion. 
Esq.,  lady,  and  servant  I  Poor  Lucilla,  a  dark  cloud  rested 
for  several  days  on  her  countenance ;  nor  were  her  social  rela 
tions,  though  I  studied  her  feelings  in  every  mode  in  my  power, 
calculated  to  make  her  happy.  She  seemed  to  hang  in  an  un 
balanced  sphere  between  me  and  the  servants  of  the  household. 
By-and-by,  however,  a  love-passage  came  in  to  throw  a  little 
light  over  her  heart. 

A  young  carpenter  in  the  neighborhood,  whom  she  had  never 
seen,  sent  her  a  brace  of  birds  and  a  water-melon,  upon  which 
she  came,  blushing  with  surprise,  and  asked  my  advice.  I  told 
her  it  was  probably  a  piece  of  neighborly  attention,  and  she 
had  best  accept  them.  The  following  day  another  watermelon 
came,  with  the  initials  of  both  parties  carved  on  the  rind  ;  and 
on  the  third,  as  Lucilla  stood  in  the  piazza,  two  hands  pushed  a 
huge  one  through  the  partially-opened  street-door ;  it  rolled 


276  HECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

towards  the  excited  girl,  and   she   saw  in  large  letters  on  the 

green  rind  : — 

"J.  M. 

to 
L.  H. 

"  '  If  you  love  me  as  I  love  }Ton, 

No  knife  shall  cut  our  love  in  two.'  " 

Lucilla  had  not  a  spark  of  coquetry,  and  was  evidently  af 
fected  by  this  novel  courtship ;  my  advice  ceased  to  be  asked, 
and  I  lost  my  pretty  housekeeper,  who  soon  headed  an  estab 
lishment  of  her  own. 

It  was  about  this  time  that  the  first  great  impulse  was  given 
to  the  temperance  cause  in  Massachusetts.  An  individual,  who 
may  perhaps  read  these  pages,  made  the  parents  of  Lucilla  his 
especial  care  ;  they  signed  the  pledge,  reformed,  and  have  since 
gone  down  to  peaceful  graves,  leaving  their  blessing  and  God's 
smile  on  their  benefactor. 

The  history  of  Lucilla's  successor,  which  I  will  give  in  her 
own  language,  illustrates  some  of  the  difficulties  of  servitude, 
and  is  a  beautiful  picture  of  the  every-day  struggles  of  the  con 
scientious  poor.  It  will  be  seen  by  these  two  cases  how  difficult 
it  is  to  study  the  wishes  of  white  dependants  among  us  who 
have  any  refinement ;  the  vulgar  we  cannot  tolerate.  Though 
strictly  attentive  to  her  duties,  I  perceived  that  her  feelings 
were  laboring  under  some  excitement ;  and  while  seeking  my 
presence  under  various  pretences,  her  manner  was  never  serene 
and  composed. 

One  evening  when  I  was  alone  in  the  country,  waiting  Ar 
thur'*  return  from  a  club,  I  sent  for  Betsey  from  her  own  room 
to  sit  with  me.  A  cheerful  fire  blazed  on  the  hearth ;  and  as 
we  sat  sewing  together,  I  asked  her  some  questions  about  her 
early  life,  expressed  my  surprise  at  her  correct  language  and 
manners,  and  by  degrees  drew  from  her  her  simple  story. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  277 

"  I  do  not  recollect  my  father  or  mother,"  said  my  humble 
companion ;  "but  at  seven  I  was  bound  by  the  overseers  of  the 
poor  to  a  lady  in  Boston,  who  promised  to  keep  me  until  I  was 
eighteen,  and  provide  for  me,  at  the  end  of  my  service,  a  situa 
tion  where  I  might  learn  a  trade.  A  child  of  seven  years  is 
very  young  to  be  cast  out  on  the  world,  and  many  were  the  suf 
ferings  I  endured.  Mrs.  Granby  was  very  kind  to  me ;  but  she 
had  several  young  children  who  were  badly  managed,  and  I  was 
made  the  sport  of  their  ill-humors.  If  they  broke  a  plate,  it 
was  immediately  said.  Betsey  has  done  it ;  if  the  sugar  was  eaten 
out  of  the  sugar-bowl,  the  theft  was  laid  to  me  ;  if  one  of  the 
children  cried,  it  was  Betsey  who  teased  her.  Sometimes  when 
I  was  sent  into  the  nursery  to  watch  them,  we  all  played  hap 
pily  together,  and  then  I  forgot  my  troubles.  Mrs.  Granby 
was  opposed  to  punishment,  and  therefore  the  children  were 
allowed  to  do  as  they  pleased.  I  have  often  gone  to  bed  and 
wept  myself  to  sleep  at  the  injustice  that  was  done  me.  One 
little  girl,  about  four  years  of  age,  was  afraid  to  go  to  bed  alone  5 
and  it  was  my  task  to  lie  down  by  her  until  she  was  fast  asleep. 
Many  a  cold  evening  I  have  laid  shivering  on  the  outside  of  the 
bed,  hoping  every  moment  she  would  drop  asleep ;  and  just  as  I 
imagined  I  could  get  away,  she  would  bounce  up,  and  cry,  '  Bet 
sey,  Betsey,  you  shan't  go  away  !'  Sometimes  I  would  drop  to 
sleep  myself,  and  then,  when  it  was  time  to  lay  the  table  for 
supper,  I  was  obliged  to  rouse  myself,  and  go  down  half  awake. 
I  did  not  have  any  very  hard  work  to  do,  but  I  was  called  on 
for  every  purpose ;  if  anything  was  lost,  Betsey  must  find  it — 
if  wood  was  wanted,  I  must  bring  it.  The  grown-up  servants 
in  the  kitchen,  as  well  as  the  children  in  the  parlor,  laid  every 
blame  on  me,  so  that  I  hardly  knew  what  was  right  or  wrong. 
If  I  told  the  truth,  I  was  an  impudent  hussy ;  and  if  I  tried  to 
conceal  anything,  I  was  a  deceitful  child.  I  was  willing  to 


278  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

work,  but  was  liable  to  so  many  interruptions  that  I  accom 
plished  nothing. 

"  I  lived  in  this  family  until  I  was  ten  years  old,  when  Mrs 
Granby  died,  and  I  was  released  from  that  service.  I  had 
been  very  much  neglected,  and  scarcely  knew  right  from  wrong ; 
but  God  watched  over  me,  and  I  was  kept  from  sin.  I  had  a 
little  Bible,  which  had  been  my  mother's  ;  and  although  I  could 
not  read  in  it,  I  always  kept  it  under  my  pillow,  and  T  thought 
it  would  help  to  make  me  good. 

"  After  the  funeral,  I  seemed  to  be  left  alone :  for  although 
Mrs.  Granby  had  done  little  for  me,  still  she  was  kind,  and  fed 
and  clothed  me ;  I  had,  besides,  become  attached  to  the  little 
girl  by  whose  side  I  had  lain  so  many  nights  ;  and  when  T  saw 
the  carriage  drive  up  to  the  door  which  was  to  take  them  all  to 
their  grandmother's  in  the  country,  I  thought  I  should  die  with 
grief. 

"  It  was  soon  spoken  of  in  the  neighborhood  that  little  Bet 
sey  wanted  a  place,  and  a  lady  came  for  me.  In  this  new  situ 
ation  there  were  no  children.  The  lady  was  very  sickly,  and 
wished  me  to  wait  on  her,  and  to  be  constantly  in  the  room  with 
her.  The  change  was  very  great,  from  one  of  noise,  and  disor 
der,  and  merriment,  to  a  regular,  quiet  home,  where  neatness 
and  regularity  were  enjoyed  and  scrupulously  practised.  I  was 
scrubbed  from  head  to  feet,  and  new  and  decent  garments  were 
made  for  me.  Here  I  was  taught  to  sew  and  read,  and  at 
length  could  understand  my  own  dear  little  Bible.  Here  I 
learned  the  duty  of  submitting  to  the  will  of  Providence :  and 
if  severity  of  discipline  sometimes  made  my  tears  flow,  the  word 
of  God  taught  me  to  bear  my  lot  with  patience.  Mrs.  Leitch 
was  fretful,  and  often  unreasonable  ;  she  thought  it  no  harm  to 
keep  me  confined  in  her  apartment  day  after  day,  sewing  and 
knitting  without  intermission.  She  could  not  spare  me  to  go 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  279 

to  school ;  and  as  she  felt  it  a  duty  that  I  should  be  instructed 
in  reading,  as  well  as  in  moral  and  religious  duties,  she  taught 
me  herself  in  those  hours  of  ease  which  she  sometimes  enjoyed. 
But  you  can  hardly  imagine  how  I  longed  to  run  out  and  play 
in  the  sun  and  air,  and  to  expand  my  limbs.  But  I  could  never 
go ;  and  it  was  wearisome  to  me  to  sit  upright  on  a  cricket*  at 
work,  or  getting  my  lessons,  the  whole  day.  Sometimes  my 
labor  was  varied  by  the  necessity  of  rubbing  Mrs.  Leitch  when 
she  was  in  pain.  I  took  pleasure  in  doing  anything  to  procure 
her  ease. 

"  Such  confinement  and  seclusion  from  persons  of  my  own 
age  wore  upon  my  spirits,  and  I  began  to  droop.  One  day  she 
asked  me  if  I  was  unhappy,  and  if  I  wanted  anything.  She 
seemed  sorry  for  me,  and  I  ventured  to  tell  her  I  wished  some 
times  to  go  out  as  other  children  did.  She  was  very  angry,  and 
called  me  ungrateful,  when  she  had  done  so  much  for  me. 

" '  In  one  year,'  said  she,  '  you  have  been  transformed  from  a 
dirty,  ignorant,  ragged  child,  to  a  neat,  well-clothed,  and  in 
structed  waiting-maid.  You  have  no  hard  work  or  drudgery  to 
perform,  and  have  only  to  sit  here  with  me  like  a  lady !' 

"  I  told  her  she  had  been  very  kind  and  bountiful  to  me,  and 
that  I  would  try  and  be  contented.  But  she  became  from  that 
time  very  much  dissatisfied  with  me.  I  was  not  allowed  to  read 
or  write,  and  was  obliged  to  sew  all  day.  If  I  rubbed  her,  she 
said  I  took  pains  to  hurt  her ;  if  I  made  the  least  noise,  it  was 
done  on  purpose  to  make  her  head  ache ;  if  I  looked  out  of  the 
window,  it  was  because  I  wanted  to  be  a  vagabond  about  the 
streets.  I  had  no  friends  to  whom  I  could  apply,  and  I  knew 
not  what  to  do.  I  was  now  twelve  years  old,  and  I  one  day 
took  courage  to  ask  her  to  let  me  find  another  place. 

"  '  No,'  said  she  ;  '  after  I  have  had  so  much  trouble  in  teach- 
*  Term  used  in  New-England  for  a  low  bench  or  stool. 


280  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

ing  you  my  ways,  I  shall  not  let  you  go.'  Finding  no  hope  of 
getting  away,  I  looked  into  my  Bible  for  comfort,  and  saw, 
'  The  Lord  preserveth  the  simple :  I  was  brought  low,  and  He 
helped  me.'  I  prayed  for  patience,  and  it  was  given  to  me ;  I 
was  gentle  and  docile,  and  Mrs.  Leitch  again  became  kmd.  At 
length  the  physicians  ordered  her  to  try  a  change  of  climate, 
and  she  released  me  from  my  service,  and  found  me  a  place 
with  a  friend  of  her  own.  She  provided  me  with  clothes,  and 
gave  me  some  books  and  ten  dollars.  I  shed  tears  at  parting 
with  her ;  for  although  she  was  often  unreasonable,  still  I  per 
ceived  that  I  had  been  much  improved  in  her  service.  I  ac 
companied  her  friend,  Mrs.  Grant,  to  a  country  residence,  and 
found  myself,  for  the  first  time,  among  fields  and  flowers. 
There  my  spirit  bounded,  and  I  was  happy  in  those  innocent 
pleasures  which  spring  from  the  bounties  of  nature.  It  was  my 
business  here  to  attend  on  a  sweet  little  girl  of  three  years  old, 
an  only  child.  I  used  to  drag  her  in  a  carriage  through  the 
walks  in  the  garden,  and  pick  fruit  and  flowers  and  throw  in  her 
lap.  I  arose  with  the  sun,  and  it  was  delightful  to  go  out  and 
hear  the  birds  sing,  and  take  my  little  girl  by  the  hand  and 
walk  down  to  the  side  of  the  river,  and  see  the  waters  glide 
along  !  I  was  not  required  to  perform  any  other  labor  than  to 
attend  this  darling  child,  and  I  was  allowed  to  read  and  employ 
myself  in  any  way,  so  that  I  still  kept  my  attention  fixed  on 
her.  We  were  always  in  the  room  with  her  mother,  except 
when  little  Mary  was  required  to  take  exercise,  which  was  sev 
eral  hours  every  day.  The  mildness  of  my  temper  gave  Mrs. 
Grant  a  confidence  in  my  care,  and  I  was  allowed  to  carry  her 
about  without  restraint.  I  now  found  the  value  of  the  disci 
pline  to  which  I  had  been  accustomed ;  my  habits  of  order  and 
industry  made  my  services  quite  valuable  ;  and  it  was  a  pleasure 
to  me,  after  my  walk  in  the  morning  with  the  little  child,  to  sit 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  281 

down  in  the  room  with  her,  and  teach  her  little  lessons  and 
hymns.  Never  was  any  young  creature  so  gay  and  happy  as 
myself.  Mrs.  Grant  gave  me  leave  to  attend  the  Sunday-school, 
and  there  I  was  instructed  in  those  moral  and  religious  truths 
which  teach  us  our  obligation  to  God  and  our  duty  to  our  fel 
low-mortals. 

':  Autumn  came  and  winter,  and  still  found  me  happy,  and 
thankful  to  God  for  this  asylum.  When  I  awoke  in  the  morn 
ing  and  looked  forth  on  the  fields  and  distant  hills  covered  with 
snow,  I  was  overwhelmed  with  the  magnificence  of  nature.  I 
almost  forgot  that  I  was  poor  and  dependant,  and  that  I  might 
at  any  moment  be  cast  out  to  seek  my  bread  among  strangers. 
At  length  the  birds  began  to  sing ;  the  flowers  sprang  up  ;  and 
the  trees  put  forth  their  blossoms.  I  held  our  dear  little  Mary 
by  the  hand,  and  had  just  fixed  a  nosegay  to  carry  in  to  her 
mother,  when,  as  we  reached  the  door,  two  men  came  up  and 
asked  for  Mrs.  Grant.  I  introduced  them  into  the  parlor,  and 
one  of  them  handed  her  a  letter  ;  she  read  it.  uttered  not  a 
word,  but  would  have  fallen  to  the  floor,  if  I  had  not  sprung  to 
her  arid  supported  her.  -  The  men  looked  at  her  with  great 
compassion.  At  length  she  recovered ;  and  when  she  could 
speak,  said,  '  We  are  ruined,  Betsey.  Mr.  Grant  is  in  jail !  I 
must  give  up  all  and  go  to  him !' 

"  It  was  even  so.  He  had  been  unfortunate  in  some  specu 
lations,  and  all  his  property  was  attached.  At  that  moment  I 
did  not  think  of  a  separation  from  this  dear  lady  and  her  sweet 
child,  and  thought  I  should  go  with  her  to  prison  ;  but  she  soon 
convinced  me  that  it  would  be  impossible.  She  said  she  must 
give  up  all  her  indulgences,  wait  on  herself,  and  try  to  assist 
her  husband.  After  exhausting  myself  in  unavailing  sympathy 
for  her,  the  forlornness  of  my  situation  rushed  on  my  mind,  and 
I  felt  that  I  must  lose  the  home  where  I  had  been  so  happy  for 


282  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

one  whold  year ;  and  to  part  with  my  dear  little  Mary  was  the 
hardest  fate  of  all. 

"  After  a  short  struggle,  Mrs.  Grant  summoned  up  her  reso 
lution,  delivered  the  house  and  furniture  into  the  hands  of  the 
officer,  and  began  to  make  arrangements  for  her  own  departure. 
She  collected  her  domestics,  and  gave  them  all  she  could — good 
advice,  and  a  good  character,  with  a  promise,  if  it  should  ever 
be  in  her  power,  to  pay  them  the  wages  that  remained  due. 
They  were  much  attached  to  her,  and  begged  her  not  to  think 
of  them,  but  hoped  for  her  sake  that  her  husband  would  get  out 
of  his  difficulties.  They  took  a  respectful  leave,  and  with  many 
tears  departed  from  a  house  where  they  had  been  treated  more 
like  friends  than  servants.  They  had  friends  and  acquaintances, 
knew  how  to  make  themselves  useful,  and  could  soon  get  into  a 
new  service  ;  but  for  me,  where,  alas  !  could  I  go  ?  I  went  to 
my  little  chamber,  where  I  had  so  often  kissed  Mary  to  sleep, 
and  there  wept  bitterly.  Presently  I  heard  that  sweet  voice 
calling,  "  Betsey,  Betsey,  come  to  my  mother  !'  I  wiped  away 
my  tears  and  tried  to  compose  myself. 

"  My  good  friend  held  out  her  hand  to  me  and  said,  '  Betsey . 
this  is  the  hardest  task  of  all ;  you  have  been  so  affectionate 
and  so  faithful  to  my  child  that  I  can  hardly  give  you  up.  Oh, 
my  poor  girl,  I  cannot  pay  you  your  year's  earnings,  or  the  ten 
dollars  you  gave  me  to  keep  for  you !' 

"She  had  often  advised  me  to  take  up  my  wages,  and  put  the 
money  in  the  savings-bank  ;  but  it  was  some  trouble,  and  it  was 
put  off.  I  begged  her  not  to  think  of  me,  but  to  allow  me  to 
assist  her  in  packing  up.  This  was  a  heart-rending  business . 
and  as  I  folded  little  Mary's  clothes,  and  laid  them  one  after 
another  in  the  travelling  trunk,  my  tears  flowed  afresh.  The 
little  child  came  and  put  her  arms  around  my  neck,  and  said. 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  283 

'  Don't  cry,  Betsey ;  Mary  will  soon  come  back  and  bring  you 
sugar-plums  and  cake  !' 

"  At  length  all  was  ready.  Mrs.  Grant  had  selected  such 
articles  from  her  own  clothes  as  she  thought  would  be  useful  to 
me,  and  insisted  on  my  taking  them.  She  also  gave  me  a  writ 
ten  certificate  of  good  character  and  conduct,  and  recommended 
me  to  the  care  of  a  poor  but  respectable  woman,  who  was  under 
obligations  to  her,  and  with  whom  I  was  to  remain  until  I  found 
a  place.  The  carriage  drove  off,  and  I  was  left  the  last  in  the 
house,  to  lament  alone. 

"  Those  who  have  the  comfort  and  protection  of  a  father's 
house,  and  whose  wants  are  all  supplied  by  parental  affection, 
can  little  imagine  the  desolate  feeling  I  endured  when  I  saw  the 
door  close  which  shut  me  out  from  a  happy  home.  But  it  was 
necessary  I  should  exert  myself,  and  I  took  up  my  bundle  and 
walked  on. 

"  I  was  kindly  received  by  the  good  woman  to  whom  I  had 
been  recommended.  After  some  days,  I  heard  of  a  lady  who 
wanted  a  chambermaid.  I  was  now  about  fourteen,  and  large 
of  my  age.  The  lady  took  my  certificate  and  read  it,  then 
handed  it  to  her  daughters,  three  young  ladies,  who  sat  in  the 
room. 

"  '  Honest,  good-tempered,  faithful,'  were  pronounced  aloud. 
'  A  very  good  character,  young  woman,'  said  the  lady ;  '  but 
what  kind  of  work  can  you  do  V 

" '  I  can  sew,  and  knit,  and  read/  said  I  ;  '  and  I  have  been 
accustomed  to  attend  on  a  sick  lady  and  little  child.' 

"  At  this  reply  they  all  burst  out  a  laughing ;  I  thought  I 
must  have  said  something  very  ridiculous.  At  length  the  lady 
asked  me  '  if  I  could  wash  and  iron.'  '  No,  ma'am.'  '  Do  up 
nice  muslins  and  laces  ?'  '  No,  ma'am.'  '  Clean  a  room  T  '  I 
have  never  tried,  but  could  easily  learn.'  '  Well,  young  woman, 


284  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

you  will  not  do  for  me,  as  we  do  our  own  sewing  and  reading^ 
and  we  want  a  chambermaid  who  knows  how  to  work.' 

"  I  went  away  with  a  heavy  heart !  On  my  next  application 
for  a  place  I  was  careful  not  to  say  anything  of  my  qualifica 
tion  for  reading  and  sewing,  and  merely  answered  to  the  in 
quiries  that  were  made,  that  I  was  willing  to  do  any  kind  of 
work,  and  had  no  doubt  that  I  should  give  satisfaction.  I  was 
so  unwilling  to  be  a  tax  on  the  poor  woman  who  sheltered  me, 
that  I  engaged  to  do  more  than  I  honestly  thought  I  could  ac 
complish  ;  and  if  I  was  wrong  I  hope  Grod  will  forgive  me. 

"  On  Sunday  evening  I  entered  on  my  new  service.  Here 
was  a  large  family  of  grown-up  people.  Mrs.  Holt,  the  mis 
tress  of  the  house,  an  active,  stirring  body,  kept  every  one  in 
her  employment  at  work.  My  companions  in  the  kitchen  were 
a  large  red-faced  woman  who  cooked,  a  man  who  took  care  of 
the  horses  and  worked  in  the  garden,  and  a  boy  to  wait  on  table 
and  make  the  fires.  They  were  all  vulgar,  coarse-looking 
people.  They  soon  found  out  that  I  had  been  delicately  brought 
up,  and  conceived  a  great  dislike  for  me.  I  was  soon  known 
by  the  nickname  of  '  Miss  Mince.'  On  Monday  morning  the 
clothes  were  brought  forth  to  be  washed,  and  for  the  first  time 
I  took  my  place  at  the  washtub.  It  was  not  long  before  I 
rubbed  the  skin  from  my  hands,  and  the  pain  and  smart  of  the 
soap  was  intolerable ;  still  I  did  not  dare  to  complain.  It  was 
fortunate  that  I  was  called  from  the  washtub  frequently  to  do 
other  work  about  the  house,  or  I  could  not  have  gotten  through 
the  day.  At  last  we  got  through  the  long  day  ;  the  kitchen 
floor  was  washed,  and  the  tea  things  put  away,  and  I  took  a 
book  of  devotion  from  my  pocket  and  began  to  read.  All  my 
companions  laughed  at  me,  and  said  I  should  soon  be  taught 
better  than  that.  I  asked  them  very  mildly  if  they  wished  me 
to  do  anything  for  them ;  they  said  no,  but  still  kept  on  laugh- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  285 

ing.  In  a  few  minutes  in  came  the  mistress.  She  lifted  up 
both  hands,  and  exclaimed,  i  Heyday,  Betsey,  can't  you  find 
nothing  to  do  but  to  set  down  and  read  ?'  I  shut  up  my  book 
in  some  confusion,  and  said  I  hoped  she  would  excuse  me,  as  1 
did  not  know  that  she  had  anything  for  me  to  do  that  evening. 
Her  anger  was  appeased  by  my  gentleness,  and  she  said, '  Well, 
child,  you  should  come  and  ask  for  work  when  you  do  not  knew 
what  to  do,  as  I  cannot  afford  to  pay  help  unless  all  their  time 
is  spent  in  my  service.'  She  then  produced  a  large  basketful 
of  stockings,  and  told  me  to  employ  my  leisure  on  them,  and 
not  sit  idling  away  time  with  books  ! 

"  I  had  little  sympathy  from  my  companions.  Still  I  never 
retorted  when  they  said  harsh  or  satirical  things  to  me.  By 
this  method  I  gained  their  forbearance,  and  I  have  always  found 
that  a  kind  and  gentle  temper  will  conciliate  the  most  unfeeling 
and  ferocious.  Thus,  although  I  was  not  happy,  they  restrained 
their  taunts ;  and  sometimes,  when  we  were  all  seated  in  the 
kitchen,  after  our  labor  was  accomplished,  they  would  ask  me 
to  read  to  them.  This  indulgence  almost  cost  me  my  place,  as 
Mrs.  Holt  declared  she  would  have  no  such  doings,  and  if  I 
continued  such  a  practice  I  should  quit  the  house.  Sometimes 
I  took  a  little  bit  of  candle  to  enable  me  to  read  a  chapter  in 
my  little  Bible  before  I  went  to  sleep  ;  but  when  she  found  that 
out,  she  obliged  me  to  go  to  bed  in  the  dark. 

"  By  diligence  and  attention  I  soon  became  expert  in  per 
forming  all  the  work  that  was  required  of  me,  and  I  should 
have  been  contented  with  my  lot  if  I  could  have  had  a  little 
leisure  for  my  own  use.  When  it  was  found  that  I  performed 
my  work  with  so  much  despatch,  other  labor  was  added.  The 
young  ladies  of  the  family  gave  me  their  sewing  and  mending, 
and  so  encroached  on  my  good-nature  that  they  frequently  kept 
me  at  work  until  near  midnight. 


286  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

"  I  continued  in  this  family  a  year  ;  but  their  demands  on 
my  services  increased,  and  they  were  so  unreasonable,  that  I 
resolved  to  quit  them.  I  told  them  my  intention  ;  they  were 
astonished.  I  had  been  so  docile  and  submissive,  that  it  never 
occurred  to  them  that  I  should  have  resolution  enough  to  leave 
them. 

"  At  this  period  I  accidentally  broke  a  valuable  glass  dish. 
I  never  could  tell  how  it  fell  from  my  hand,  but  it  seemed  to 
be  without  my  will  and  almost  without  niy  knowledge.  Mrs. 
Holt  was  standing  by  when  the  accident  occurred.  I  saw  her 
eye  kindle  with  passion,  and.  before  I  could  apologize,  her  hand 
came  with  a  powerful  blow  on  my  ear,  and  the  expression, 
c  Careless  huzzy,  and  trollop  !'  burst  from  her  angry  lips.  I 
felt  faint  and  frightened,  and  cried  as  if  my  heart  would  break  ; 
I  wished  that  the  earth  would  open  and  take  me  in.  I  offered 
to  pay  for  the  loss  ;  the  money  was  declined,  but  most  ungra 
ciously,  and  the  few  days  I  remained  I  was  hourly  twitted 
about  the  broken  dish.  And  yet  it  required  a  great  effort  for 
me  to  get  away.  I  had  been  in  the  habit  of  submitting  to  cir 
cumstances,  and  it  seemed  to  be  my  fate  to  encounter  hard 
ships.  But  I  had  saved  my  wages  for  one  year,  and  felt  some 
degree  of  independence.  I  determined  to  stay  a  few  days  with 
the  aged  friend  with  whom  I  once  found  shelter  ;  and  as  I  had 
now  the  means  of  paying  my  board,  I  felt  the  less  reluctance  at 
claiming  the  shelter  of  her  hospitable  roof.  Accordingly,  after 
I  had  taken  a  respectful  leave  of  Mrs.  Holt  and  her  daughters, 
and  had  given  a  cordial  adieu  to  my  companions  in  the  kitchen, 
I  retired  to  the  repose  of  humble  life.  I  was  truly  refreshed 
by  the  sympathy  of  my  old  friend,  and  the  quiet  and  rest  which 
even  poverty  can  offer  to  the  weary  heart.  I  had  time  to  think 
of  my  Creator  and  my  Redeemer  ;  and  I  shall  never  forget  the 
feeling  of  happiness  I  enjoyed  the  first  Sabbath  I  found  my- 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  287 

self  at  liberty  to  attend  the  services  of  God's  holy  temple  dur 
ing  the  whole  day.  How  ardently  did  I  wish  to  devote  myself 
wholly  to  Him  ;  and  if  I  ever  felt  inclined  to  repine  at  my  lot, 
it  was  when  I  looked  round  on  the  well-filled  church,  and  con 
sidered  what  Christian  privileges  most  of  the  congregation  en 
joyed,  and  how  little  I  had  hitherto  been  enabled  to  mingle  my 
prayers  and  supplications  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  how  igno 
rant  I  had  remained  of  my  Christian  duties. 

';  This  day  was  an  anniversary  of  the  Sabbath-school,  and  I 
soon  discovered  that  the  privilege  of  attending  it  extended  to 
all,  and  that  I  had  only  to  make  known  my  spiritual  wants  to 
be  received  as  a  pupil.  From  this  time  my  views  of  life  were 
entirely  changed.  I  felt  myself  one  of  God's  creatures,  and  no 
longer  suffered  from  the  humiliation  of  being  an  outcast,  with 
out  relatives  or  friends.  I  now  realized  that  I  was  equally  the 
subject  of  his  providence,  and  that,  by  a  faithful  discharge  of 
the  duties  of  my  humble  station,  I  should  render  a  homage 
equally  acceptable  to  him  as  if  my  opportunities  were  more  ex 
tensive.  '  An  humble  and  a  contrite  heart,  oh  God  !  thou  wilt 
not  despise  ;'  and  as  I  breathed  in  silence  a  prayer  for  the  influ 
ence  of  his  Holy  Spirit  on  my  heart,  I  felt  that  mine  was  al 
ready  accepted  ! 

"  It  was  at  this  period  that  I  heard  of  a  Southern  lady  who 
wished  a  white  servant,  and  I  applied  for  the  situation.  She 
had  already  a  negro  attendant  of  her  own  travelling  with  her. 
For  the  first  few  days  that  we  travelled  together  I  was  very 
much  struck  with  the  formality  of  her  manner  to  me,  and  the 
intimacy  she  seemed  to  feel  for  Dinah.  I  had  never  seen  but 
one  negro  before,  and  always  had  a  dread  of  them  ;  from  early 
prejudice,  I  could  hardly  believe  my  own  eyes  when  I  saw  the 
confidence  that  was  placed  in  Dinah. 

"  When  we  arrived  in  Charleston,  T  found  that  I  was  to  go 


288  RECOLLKCTIOXS    OF    A 

into  the  country  and  keep  the  keys  for  a  Mrs.  Randolph,  who 
was  an  invalid.  I  cannot  describe  my  home-sickness.  A 
strange  fear  made  me  avoid  the  blacks.  When  I  went  to  bed 
it  seemed  to  me  as  though  I  should  see  their  faces  peering 
through  the  doors  and  windows.  Mrs.  Randolph's  politeness 
to  me  was  painful  in  the  extreme.  I  felt  as  if  I  was  in  an  ice 
palace.  I  had  everything  I  wanted  ;  indeed,  I  never  saw  so 
much  elegance  in  my  life,  and  never  had  such  attendance,  but 
it  seemed  all  above  and  below  me.  Mrs.  Randolph  changing 
her  residence,  you  were  kind  enough,  ma'am,  to  take  an  interest 
in  me,  and  I  will  make  bold  to  tell  you  my  feelings.  My  own 
voice  sometimes  frightens  me  ;  my  dreams  are  dreadful :  and 
when  you  and  Mr.  Marion  go  to  the  city,  I  feel  as  if  I  wanted 
to  close  my  ears,  and  shut  my  eyes,  and  stop  the  beating  of  my 
heart  until  you  come  back.  Oh,  if  I  could  only  return,"  she 
concluded,  timidly,  the  large  tears  dropping  on  her  busy  nee 
dle,  k'  I  think  I  would  be  willing  to  work  my  fingers  to  the 
bone." 

It  will  be  easily  conjectured  that,  in  a  solitude  like  Bellevue, 
the  companionship,  even  of  so  humble  an  individual  as  Betsey, 
would  be  desirable  ;  but,  though  her  heart  was  in  some  measure 
relieved  by  unfolding  its  feelings,  and  by  my  consequent  sym 
pathy,  yet  I  perceived  her  spirits  droop,  and  determined,  on 
our  February  visit  to  the  city,  to  restore  her  to  her  native  cli 
mate.  Since  that  period  I  have  not  renewed  the  experiment 
of  white  American  servants  at  the  South.  Foreigners,  from 
their  habit  of  looking  up  to  fixed  classes  in  society,  enter  read 
ily  into  the  peculiarities  of  our  institutions,  and  therefore  are 
better  suited  to  this  office  ;  but  experience  seerns  to  have  deci 
ded  that  an  attached,  faithful  negro,  is  a  more  suitable  servant 
in  our  portion  of  the  country,  under  existing  institutions,  than 
any  other.  It  would  weary  me  were  I  to  relate  the  instances 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  289 

which  have  fallen  under  my  observation,  of  devoted  kindness 
from  this  class  of  persons  to  those  by  whom  they  have  been 
reared  ;  their  jealousy  of  the  rights  and  reputation  of  their  mas 
ters  ;  their  kindness  in  sickness,  and  the  affectionate  demonstra 
tions  of  grief  with  which  they  follow  them  to  the  grave. 

13 


CHAPTER   XXXV. 

THE  PLANTER'S  BJRIDE. 

"  She  sitteth  by  hi"  ctinir, 

And  holds  his  feeble  hand; 
She  watcheth  ever  there, 

His  wants  to  understand. 
His  yet  unspoken  will 
She  hasteneth  to  fulfil." 

Miss  BROWNE'S  "  Woman's  Love." 
"  He  goes  from  her  chamber  straight 

Into  life's  justle; 
He  meets  at  the  very  gate 
Business  and  bustle." 

Miss  BROWNE'S  "  Man's  Love" 

THE  planter's  bride,  who  leaves  a  numerous  and  cheerful 
family  in  her  paternal  home,  little  imagines  the  change  which 
awaits  her  in  her  own  retired  residence.  She  dreams  of  an  in 
dependent  sway  over  her  household,  devoted  love  and  unbroken 
intercourse  with  her  husband,  and  indeed  longs  to  be  released 
from  the  eyes  of  others,  that  she  may  dwell  only  beneath  the 
sunbeam  of  his.  And  so  it -was  with  me.  After  our  bustling 
wedding  and  protracted  journey,  I  looked  forward  to  the  retire 
ment  at  Bellevue  as  a  quiet  port  in  which  I  should  rest  with 
Arthur,  after  drifting  so  long  on  general  society.  The  romance 
of  our  love  was  still  in  its  glow,  as  might  be  inferred  by  the  in 
fallible  sign  of  his  springing  to  pick  up  my  pocket-handkerchief 
whenever  it  fell. 

On  arriving  at  Bellevue,  which  Arthur  had  recently  pur- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON.  29 i 

chased,  with  its  standing  furniture,  I  perceived  the  most  gro 
tesque  arrangement.     Whatever  was  too  old  or  dilapidated  for 
the  city,  the  former  proprietor  had  despatched  into  the  country. 
The  furniture  seemed  like  the  fag-end  of  all  housekeeping  wares. 
If  s.  table  had  lost  a  leg,  it  was  banished  to  Bellevue,  where  the 
disabled  part  was  supported  by  a  bit  of  hickory  or  pine ;  the 
mirrors,  which  comprised  all  varieties,  from  heavy  carved  mahog 
any  frames  to  gilt  ones,  with  amiable  shepherds  and  shepherd 
esses  pictured  at  the  top,  seemed  as  if  the  queen  of  the  earth 
quakes  had  been  angered  by  her  own  reflection,  and  rent  them 
in  fissures.     In  one  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  myself  multi 
plied  almost  indefinitely ;  in  another,  an  eye  or  a  nose,  a  fore 
head  or  a  waist,  was  severed  in  two  ;  and  in  another,  unless  I 
stood  on  tiptoe,  a  grinning,  unnatural  thing  looked  at  me  above 
and  below  the  cracks.     In  one  room  was  an  old-fashioned  sec 
retary,  towering  to  the  ceiling,  where  a  few  worm-eaten  books 
leaned  against  each  other,  as  if  for  companionship  in  their  soli 
tude  ;  while  near  it  was  a  finical  table,  with  its  defaced  gilding 
hidden  by  a  piece  of  faded  green  baize.     The  sideboard,  which 
was  covered  with  rich  silver,  was  also  set  off  with  tumblers  and 
wine-glasses  for  all  sizes  and  fancies  ;  the  andirons,  things  with 
long  slender  stands,  and  Lilliputian  brass  heads  surmounting 
their  slight  bodies,  looked  as  if  they  were  invoking  something 
up  the  large  chimneys ;  the  bellows  wheezed  as  if  far  gone  in 
the  asthma ;  the  tongs  lapped  over  with  a  sudden  spasm,  clutch 
ing  tenaciously  the  unoffending  brands  ;  if  I  attempted  to  sweep 
the  hearth,  I  was  left  with  the  handle  only  in  my  grasp ;  the 
large  glass  shades,  intended  to  protect  the  candles  from  the  air, 
admitted,  like    treacherous    allies,  the    enemy    in    at   various 
breaches ;  small  bits  of  carpet  were  laid  here  and  there  in  the 
apartments,  as  a  kind  of  hint  at  warmth ;  the  bed-curtains  and 
spreads  were  mostly  patterns  of  gorgeous  birds  and  trees,  but 


292  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

being  imperfectly  matched  in  the  sewing,  a  peacock's  plumage 
was  settled  on  the  neck  of  a  humming-bird,  a  parrot  seemed  in 
the  act  of  eating  his  own  tail,  and  a  fine  oak  came  sprouting  out 
of  a  bird's  nest.  Arthur  was  infinitely  amused  when  I  called 
his  attention  to  the  china,  which  varied  from  the  finest  Dres 
den  to  the  common  crockery  of  the  dram-shops.  The  medley, 
in  variety,  would  have  done  credit  to  a  modern  drawing-room. 

The  harmonious  and  joyous  frame  of  our  minds  rendered 
these  things  a  source  of  amusement.  For  several  weeks  all  kinds 
of  droll  associations  were  conjured  up,  and  we  laughed  at  any 
thing  and  nothing.  What  cared  we  for  fashion  and  pretension  ? 
There  we  were  together,  asking  for  nothing  but  each  other's 
presence  and  love.  At  length  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  tear 
himself  away  to  superintend  his  interests.  I  remember  when 
his  horse  was  brought  to  the  door  for  his  first  absence  of  two 
hours  ;  an  observer  would  have  thought  that  he  was  going  a  far 
journey,  had  he  witnessed  that  parting ;  and  so  it  continued  for 
some  days,  and  his  return  at  each  time  was  like  the  sun  shoot 
ing  through  a  three  days'  cloud. 

But  the  period  of  absence  was  gradually  protracted  ;  then  a 
friend  sometimes  came  home  with  him,  and  their  talk  was  of 
crops  and  politics,  draining  the  fields  and  draining  the  revenue, 
until  I  (country  ladies  will  believe  me)  fell  off  into  a  state  as 
nearly  approaching  sleep  as  a  straight-backed  chair  would  allow. 
Arthur,  however,  rarely  forgot  me  in  conversation  with  others ; 
he  had  the  art,  in  which  most  men  are  so  entirely  deficient,  of 
directing  a  glance  to  a  lady,  while  conversing  with  gentlemen 
on  themes  apparently  uninteresting  to  her — a  glance  which 
seemed  not  only  to  acknowledge  her  presence,  but  to  pay  defer 
ence  to  her  thoughts.  He  did  not,  as  is  too  often  the  case,  for 
get  that  a  sentient  being  was  without  companionship  but  in 
him  ;  but  seemed  to  feel  what  is  probably  true,  that  if  women 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  293 

are  occasionally  asked  for  their  opinions,  they  may  be  induced 
to  look  into  the  depths  of  their  minds  to  see  if  an  opinion  is 
there.  But  Arthur  had  few  aids  in  this  delicate  mode  of  com 
plimenting  ;  after  the  ordinary  questions  were  answered,  I  was 
usually  left  to  ponder  on  the  strip  of  carpet  before  the  hearth, 
and  wonder  why  it  did  not  come  up  to  the  chairs,  while  my  neigh 
bor  gradually  hitched  himself  round  with  one  shoulder  towards 
me  and  his  forefinger  on  Arthur's  thigh. 

Arthur  was  a  member  of  a  social  club — but  he  had  allowed 
several  citations  to  pass  unnoticed,  until  it  occurred  to  him 
that  he  was  slighting  his  friends ;  I  thought  so  too,  and  said 
so,  without  permitting  the  sigh  to  escape  that  lay  at  the  bot 
tom  of  my  heart,  at  the  idea  of  his  passing  an  evening  awa^ 
from  me. 

"  They  shall  not  keep  me  long  from  you,  my  love,"  he  said,  as 
we  parted  ;  "  I  have  little  joy  without  you." 

But  it  was  very  long  to  me.  I  could  bear  to  be  alone  in  the 
morning,  when  I  pursued  various  occupations,  and  was  even 
happy.  When  weary  with  sewing  and  reading,  I  strolled  to  the 
poultry-yard,  and  heard  Maum  Nelly's  stories  of  how  twenty 
fine  young  turkeys  had  just  tottled  backward  and  died  so ;  or 
how  the  minks  and  chicken-snakes  had  sucked  half  the  fowl- 
eggs  ;  or  see  her  stuff  pepper-corns  down  the  young  turkeys' 
throats,  and  pick  the  pip  from  the  old  fowls.  Luckily  for  me,  I 
as  yet  cared  little  for  the  pecuniary  loss,  while  I  really  enjoyed 
the  sight  of  the  healthy  flocks,  as  she  exhibited  them  with  a 
kind  of  maternal  pride,  calling  the  seniors  by  name.  I  loved  to 
hear  the  delicate  peeping  of  the  little  things,  and  see  how  un 
selfishly  the  parent  bird  sacrificed  the  choicest  morsels  for 
them ;  I  loved,  too,  to  stand  by  the  duck-pond,  and  listen  to 
the  plash  as  the  old  ones  descended  to  the  water,  and  watch 
their  proud  and  happy  look  as  their  offspring  followed  with  in- 


294  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

stinctive  power.  I  noted  the  chaste-robed  pea-fowl,  with  its 
metallic-sounding  cry,  and  smiled  as  the  strutting  and  vaporing 
turkey  paraded  in  "  brief  authority." 

Then  I  visited  the  dairy,  which  was  charmingly  situated  just 
where  a  small  creek  entered  among  the  trees.  A  clear  spring 
ran  directly  across  the  stone  floor,  and  a  fine  spreading  live-oak 
shaded  it  above.  I  enjoyed  those  days  in  the  week  when  the 
little  negroes  came  trooping  along  with  their  piggins  for  milk, 
the  largest  bearing  the  babies  on  their  backs,  and  obtaining  a 
double  portion  for  them. 

There  is  unquestionably  as  much  a  school  of  old  manners 
among  the  negroes  as  with  the  whites,  and  Dinah,  my  dairy- 
woman,  belonged  to  this  class,  specimens  of  which  are  rapidly 
declining.  Her  reception  of  me  at  the  dairy  was  more  that  of  a 
dignified  hostess  than  a  servile  dependant,  as,  with  a  low  court 
esy  and  wave  of  the  hand,  she  pointed  to  a  bench  for  me  to  be 
seated.  She  belonged  to  the  class,  also  waning,  who  blend  re 
ligious  expressions  and  benedictions  with  their  common  phrase 
ology.  Dinah,  too,  possessed  a  native  humor  and  keenness 
that  sometimes  amused  me.  Being  short  in  stature,  she  asked 
me  to  reach  a  calabash,  which  was  set  aside  on  a  high  shelf  for 
my  especial  use  when  I  wished  a  draught  of  milk. 

"  'Scuse  me,  missis,"  said  she ;  "  when  tall  was  give,  I  no 
dere." 

Observing  that  she  replied  in  the  affirmative  to  questions  of 
opposite  bearing,  I  asked  her  meaning. 

"  'Scuse  me,  missis,"  she  answered  ;  "  I  is  gitting  hard  o'  hear 
ing,  and  yes  is  more  politer  dan  no." 

Sometimes  I  even  strayed,  for  companionship,  to  the  potato- 
fire,  which,  though  in  the  open  air,  was  rarely  extinguished,  and 
usually  found  some  one  roasting  or  eating.  As  I  lingered  there 
one  day,  I  inquired  of  an  old  man,  who  was  hoeing  his  own 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  295 

ground,  about  some  work  neglected  by  the  gardener.  He  rested 
on  his  hoe  and  shook  his  head. 

"  My  missis,"  said  he,  "you  no  been  hear  'bout  Dick?" 

"  No,"  I  answered  ;  "  what  of  him  ?" 

"  He  disgrace  we  all,"  said  the  old  man,  resuming  his  work. 
:'  He  tief  one  sheep — he  run  away  las  week,  cause  de  overseer 
gwine  for  flog  him.  He  an't  desarve  a  good  maussa,  like  Maussa 
Arthur  !" 

My  next  walk  was  to  the  sick-house.  Arthur  had  as  yet 
superintended  the  duty  here,  but  it  gradually  became  my  pleas 
ure  to  assist  him  ;  and,  though  with  some  timidity  remem 
bering  mamma's  example,  I  prescribed  and  weighed  the  sim 
plest  medicines,  and  soon  became  interested  in  the  individuals. 

I  have  said  that  the  morning  passed  slowly,  though  happily, 
even  without  Arthur;  but  that  club  afternoon  seemed  inter 
minable.  The  weather  was  mild,  and,  tired  of  the  house  and  of 
sitting  down  to  one  plate,  that  loneliest  of  all  positions,  I  again 
walked  out  to  enjoy  the  declining  day  and  beguile  the  long 
hours.  I  involuntarily  paused  at  the  frog-pond,  for  there 
seemed  a  kind  of  sociality  in  their  voices.  Everything  de 
pends  on  the  mood  of  mind.  It  was  but  the  evening  before 
that  Arthur  and  I  had  astonished  the  frogs  by  our  excellent 
imitation  of  their  melodies.  Standing  at  opposite  sides  of  the 
little  pond,  he  took  the  bass  and  I  the  treble,  until  we  were 
hoarse  with  shouting  and  laughter  ;  now  they  had  a  melancholy 
sound,  and  I  turned  homeward.  At  this  moment  a  man  slowly 
rose  from  the  bushes  near,  and  looked  about  carefully.  I  dis 
cerned  in  him  Dick,  the  runaway.  He  looked  haggard,  and,  ap 
proaching  with  an  humble  air,  confessed  his  fault,  and  begged 
my  intercession  with  his  master  to  allow  him  to  return  once 
more  to  his  duties.  I  undertook  the  office,  and  the  next  clay  he 
was  permitted  to  go  into  the  field. 


296  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

The  house  seemed  so  deserted,  that,  though  half  ashamed  of 
my  own  want  of  energy  and  mental  control.  I  walked  to  the 
piazza.  I  was  glad  of  the  salute  of  the  last  lingering  laborers 
on  their  way  from  the  fields  ;  I  listened  to  the  swineherd's 
horn,  and  saw  his  uncouth  group  at  a  distance,  turning  towards 
their  pen ;  the  shepherd  came  next,  with  his  more  romantic 
charge,  and  I  enticed  them,  by  throwing  corn  from  the  piazza, 
to  bear  me  company  a  little  while  ;  but  they  soon  followed  the 
shepherd  as  he  called,  individually,  their  well-known  names. 
Then  came  the  ducks,  whose  wings  were  uncut,  flying  from  a 
neighboring  field  to  seek  their  night's  shelter,  sweeping  below 
the  deep-tinged  sky  with  flapping  wings  and  happy  screams. 
The  sun  shot  up  his  last  rays  on  the  twilight  clouds ;  the  crows 
wheeled  from  the  field  to  the  forest ;  the  whippoorwill's  cry, 
which  the  hum  of  day  had  stifled,  came  clearly  and  solemnly  on 
the  air ;  the  young  moon  rose  with  her  slight  crescent,  and 
rapid  darkness  followed.  I  returned  to  the  parlor,  pushed  to 
gether  the  brands  on  the  hearth,  threw  on  lightwood  myself. 
though  two  servants  stood  waiting  by,  and  at  length  heard  a 
footstep.  It  was  Arthur's  ;  I  sprang  towards  him,  and  we  had 
as  much  to  say  as  if  he  had  been  to  India. 

This  club-engagement,  however,  brought  on  others.  I  was 
not  selfish,  and  even  urged  Arthur  to  go  to  hunt  and  to  dinner 
parties,  although  hoping  that  he  would  resist  my  urging.  He 
went  frequently,  and  a  growing  discomfort  began  to  work  upon 
my  mind.  I  had  undefined  forebodings ;  I  mused  about  past 
days  ;  my  views  of  life  became  slowly  disorganized  ;  my  physical 
powers  enfeebled ;  a  nervous  excitement  followed  ;  I  nursed  a 
moody  discontent,  and  ceased  a  while  to  reason  clearly.  Woe 
to  me  had  I  yielded  to  this  irritable  temperament !  I  began 
immediately,  on  principle,  to  busy  myself  about  my  household. 
The  location  of  Bellevue  was  picturesque — the  dwelling  airy 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  29Y 

and  commodious  ;  I  had,  therefore,  only  to  exercise  taste  in  ex 
ternal  and  internal  arrangement  to  make  it  beautiful  through 
out.  I  was  careful  to  consult  my  husband  in  those  points 
which  interested  him,  without  annoying  him  with  mere  trifles. 
If  the  reign  of  romance  was  really  waning,  I  resolved  not  to 
chill  his  noble  confidence,  but  to  make  a  steadier  light  rise  on 
his  affections.  If  he  was  absorbed  in  reading,  I  sat  quietly 
waiting  the  pause  when  I  should  be  rewarded  by  the  communi 
cation  of  ripe  ideas  ;  if  I  saw  that  he  prized  a  tree  which  in 
terfered  with  my  flowers,  I  sacrificed  my  preference  to  a  more 
sacred  feeling;  if  any  habit  of  his  annoying  me,  I  spoke  of  it 
once  or  twice  calmly,  and  then  bore  it  quietly  if  unreformed ; 
I  welcomed  his  friends  with  cordiality,  entered  into  their  family 
interests,  and  stopped  my  yawns,  which,  to  say  the  truth,  was 
sometimes  an  almost  desperate  effort,  before  they  reached  eye 
or  ear. 

This  task  of  self-government  was  not  easy.  To  repress  a 
harsh  answer,  to  confess  a  fault,  and  to  stop  (right  or  wrong)  in 
the  midst  of  self-defence,  in  gentle  submission,  sometimes  re 
quires  a  struggle  like  life  and  death  ;  but  these  three  efforts  are 
the  golden  threads  with  which  domestic  happiness  is  woven ; 
once  begin  the  fabric  with  this  woof,  and  trials  shall  not  break 
or  sorrow  tarnish  it. 

Men  are  not  often  unreasonable ;  their  difficulties  lie  in  not 
understanding  the  moral  and  physical  structure  of  our  sex. 
They  often  wound  through  ignorance,  and  are  surprised  at  hav 
ing  offended.  How  clear  is  it,  then,  that  woman  loses  by  petu 
lance  and  recrimination !  Her  first  study  must  be  self-control, 
almost  to  hypocrisy.  A  good  wife  must  smile  amid  a  thousand 
perplexities,  and  clear  her  voice  to  tones  of  cheerfulness  when 
her  frame  is  drooping  with  disease,  or  else  languish  alone. 
Man,  on  the  contrary,  when  trials  beset  him,  expects  to  find  her 

13* 


298  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

ear  and  heart  a  ready  receptacle ;  and,  when  sickness  assails 
him,  her  soft  hand  must  nurse  and  sustain  him. 

I  have  not  meant  to  suggest  that,  in  ceasing  to  be  a  mere 
lover,  Arthur  was  not  a  tender  and  devoted  husband.  I  have 
only  described  the  natural  progress  of  a  sensible,  independent 
married  man,  desirous  of  fulfilling  all  the  relations  of  society. 
Nor  in  these  remarks  would  I  chill  the  romance  of  some  young 
dreamer,  who  is  reposing  her  heart  on  another.  Let  her  dream 
on.  God  has  given  this  youthful,  luxurious  gift  of  trusting 
love,  as  he  has  given  hues  to  the  flower,  and  sunbeams  to  the 
sky.  It  is  a  superadded  charm  to  his  lavish  blessings;  but  let 
her  be  careful  that  when  her  husband 

"  Wakes  from  love's  romantic  dream, 
His  eyes  may  open  on  a  sweet  esteem." 

Let  him  know  nothing  of  the  struggle  which  follows  the  first 
chill  of  the  affections  ;  let  no  scenes  of  tears  and  apologies  be 
acted  to  agitate  him,  until  he  becomes  accustomed  to  agitation ; 
thus  shall  the  star  of  domestic  peace  arise  in  fixedness  and 
beauty  above  them,  and  shine  down  in  gentle  light  on  their 
lives,  as  it  has  on  ours. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

TRIAL   OF  MY  PRINCIPLE.  —  MY  NEW  CARRIAGE. 
—  MY    GARDEN. 

"  If  we  read  nature's  book  with  a  serious  eye, 
Not  a  leaf  but  Home  precious  thought  on  it  doth  lie : 
And  'tis  good  to  go  forth  among  scenes  like  these, 
Amid  music  and  sunshine,  and  flowers  aud  trees, 
If  'twere  only  to  waken  the  deep  love  that  springs 
At  the  sight  of  all  loyely  and  innocent  things." 

ANNA  MARIA  WELLS. 

ARTHUR  and  I,  as  the  period  drew  near  for  our  town-visit, 
began  to  discuss  the  subject  of  a  new  carriage.  Long  and  fre 
quent  were  the  debates  with  regard  to  the  color,  shape,  and  or 
naments  ;  and  this,  perhaps,  is  one  evil  of  country  life,  that  it 
makes  us  attach  a  disproportionate  interest  to  trifles.  I  in 
clined  to  a  fawn-color,  Arthur  to  deep  green.  He  preferred  a 
coachman's  box ;  I  desired  an  open  front,  that  he  might  some 
times  take  the  reins.  The  contest  once  or  twice  rose  pretty 
high.  I  came  down  to  breakfast  one  morning  with  a  frown,  and 
a  determined,  if  not  sullen,  taciturnity,  and  Arthur  rode  away 
half  an  hour  earlier  than  usual.  This  brought  me  to  a  recol 
lection  of  my  principle  of  self-sacrifice  in  trifles,  and  I  was  en 
abled  to  meet  my  husband  with  a  smile,  and  say,  on  his  re 
turn — 

"On  the  whole,  Arthur,  I  think  your  deep  green  will  be  the 
best  color  for  the  carriage.  It  will  wear  well." 


300  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

"  Ah,  well,  dearest."  said  he,  tenderly  smoothing  down  a  curl 
on  my  forehead,  '•  I  am  glad  to  hear  it.  and  I  begin  to  incline 
to  the  open  front.  I  shall  often  wish  to  be  independent  and 
drive  you  myself." 

Everything  now  seemed  to  be  going  on  smoothly,  when,  in 
looking  over  Arthur's  letters  one  day  in  an  old  chest,  I  found 
the  Marion  coat  of  arms.  It  seemed  to  me  a  perfect  piece  of 
good  fortune.  Under  what  class  our  arms  came,  whether  of 
pretension,  of  concession,  of  succession,  of  assumption,  or  of 
family,  I  could  not  tell.  I  only  thought  that  the  dots  and  di 
agonal  lines,  and  something  that  looked  like  two  swords  crossed 
would  have  a  very  pretty  effect  on  the  carriage,  and,  as  soon  as 
Arthur  came  in,  ran  and  told  him.  I  know  not  exactly  why, 
but  the  subject  struck  him  in  a  most  ludicrous  light ;  so  far 
from  entering  into  my  views,  he  took  the  paper  in  his  hand  and 
proposed  comical  substitutes  that  would  be  in  better  keeping — 
cotton-bags  coupe,  sweet  potatoes  vert,  alligators  dormant, 
shrimps  gules,  and  terrapins  couchant ;  and,  running  every 
change  which  his  vivid  fancy  could  furnish,  he  ended  with  a 
long,  loud  laugh,  that  went  tingling  through  my  ears  and  irri 
tating  my  system  to  the  very  soles  of  my  feet. 

Every  observer  of  human  nature  must  have  perceived,  that 
lovers  not  only  do  not  exercise  the  power  of  ridicule  over  each 
other,  but  they  cannot  conceive  that  the  idol  of  their  imagina 
tions  should  be  the  subject  of  it.  As  intercourse  in  marriage 
becomes  familiar,  and  the  little  graces  of  etiquette  are  laid  aside, 
the  idol,  though  not  less  worshipped,  becomes  less  sacred.  She 
is  not  the  deity  of  the  temple,  but  of  the  household ;  she  is  no 
longer  the  great  Diana  of  Ephesus,  approached  at  a  distance 
with  mysterious  rites,  but  one  of  the  Lares,  meeting  the  familiar 
glance  at  every  turn.  This  difference  is  never  felt  so  keenly  by 
a  woman,  as  when  she  first  discovers  that  it  is  possible  for  her 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  301 

to  appear  ridiculous  to  her  husband.  A  man  who  differs  from 
his  wife  and  reasons  with  her,  rather  elevates  her  self-love ;  but. 
the  moment  he  laughs  at  her,  she  feels  that  the  golden  bowl  of 
married  sympathy  is  broken. 

How  many  kinds  of  laughter  there  are  !  The  first  clear, 
sweut  notes  of  the  infant,  like  the  soft  tinkling  of  a  silver  bell : 
the  child's  laugh,  with  voice  and  mind  gushing  out  like  a  foun 
tain  ;  the  maiden's  laugh,  when  sensibility  touches  her  tones 
like  music ;  the  rich,  manly  laugh,  when  wit  goes  to  the  recesses 
of  intellect,  and  brings  out  its  echoes ;  the  girl's  giggle  behind 
her  fan ;  the  old  man's  laugh  of  habit,  that  sounds  like  the  wind 
through  an  empty  house ;  the  maniac's  laugh,  sad  and  dreary  as 
the  last  leaf  on  a  withered  tree ;  the  parrot's  laugh,  calling  out 
and  yet  repelling  sympathy  with  its  natural  unnaturalness. 
Arthur's  was  like  none  of  these  at  the  moment  of  which  I  speak ; 
it  was  one  brought  out  by  a  sense  of  the  ridiculous  ;  and  if  a 
.sister,  or  wife,  or  child  can  stand  quietly  by  and  hear  such  a 
one,  she  ought  to  be  immortalized.  I  did  not.  I  sat  down  de 
liberately  and  had  a  hearty  cry,  notwithstanding  my  principle. 
Poor  Arthur,  who  had  never  thought  about  all  this,  and  fancied 
I  was  enjoying  his  jests,  was  dismayed.  He  clasped  me  in  his 
arms,  apologized  with  all  the  tenderness  and  sincerity  of  his  na 
ture,  and  I  never  heard  that  laugh  again. 

I  was,  in  the  sequel,  perfectly  satisfied  with  my  airy  and  ele 
gant  carriage,  entered  into  the  city  amusements  with  animation, 
went  through  a  February  campaign  with  eclat,  and  had  no  wishes 
ungratified  that  wealth  could  procure.  Letters  of  introduction 
were  poured  in  upon  us  from  all  quarters,  and  we  were  glad  and 
proud  to  be  hospitable. 

I  was  prepared  one  morning  to  call  on  a  stranger,  when  vis 
itors  were  announced  ;  and,  glancing  round  the  drawing-room,  I 
perceived  on  the  sofa  a  ratan,  which  had  been  brought  in  by 


302  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

one  of  my  young  brothers.  I  caught  it  up,  and  twisting  it 
into  a  coil,  thrust  it  into  my  velvet  reticule,  and  received  my 
guests.  As  soon  as  they  departed  I  sprang  into  the  carriage, 
which  was  in  waiting,  and  drove  away.  The  ladies  were  at 
home.  In  the  course  of  conversation  I  unthinkingly  drew  my 
scented  pocket-handkerchief  from  my  Ibag,  when  out  flew  the 
ratan  with  a  bound,  and  rolled  to  the  feet  of  the  stranger.  My 
deep  and  inextinguishable  blush  probably  helped  on  any  un 
charitable  surmises  that  she  might  have  made,  and  who  can 
blame  her,  after  such  evidence,  for  reporting  that  Charleston 
ladies  carried  cowskins  in  their  pockets ! 

I  was  the  personation  of  benevolence  in  my  new  carriage,  and 
unaffectedly  enjoyed  the  pleasure  I  conferred,  yet  every  happi 
ness  has  its  alloy.  If  an  acquaintance  expected  a  friend  at  the 
wharves,  Mrs.  Marion's  carriage  was  sent  for  and  detained  half 
the  day ;  I  was  kept  the  very  latest  of  the  company  at  parties 
and  balls,  because  my  carriage  had  so  many  turns  to  make ; 
when  invalids  arrived  in  the  city  my  carriage  was  borrowed,  and 
the  credit  went  to  the  borrower,  not  to  me.  A  child  of  one 
lady  was  allowed  to  rub  its  sugar  candy  over  the  fine  cloth 
linings,  and  another  preferred  standing  on  the  cushions  to  sit 
ting  down.  Some  fair  rioters  broke  a  glass  returning  crowded 
from  a  ball ;  one  of  my  horses  took  cold  by  being  overheated  in 
a  long  drive  out  of  town ;  another  was  injured  by  being  delayed 
until  twelve  at  a  party,  which  the  borrower  said  would  break  up 
at  nine ;  my  best  coachman  became  chilled,  irritable,  and  at 
length  intemperate ;  and  what  capped  the  climax  was  a  remark 
from  my  most  frequent  borrower,  that  she  was  surprised  that 
Mrs.  Marion  could  sport  such  a  shabby  carriage  with  a  drunken 

coachman ! 

******* 

I  found  a  small  but  favorable  gardening-spot  attached  to  our 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  303 

city  residence,  and  a  taste  for  the  beautiful,  which  can  always 
touch  the  humblest  spot  with  grace,  did  not  allow  rne  to  let  it 
go  to  waste.  The  mere  aspect  of  a  bud  or  flower,  without  a 
higher  association,  is  so  pure  and  soothing  to  the  lover  of  na 
ture,  that  it  repays  the  glance  which  bends  over  its  daily 
growth ;  and  I  envy  not  him  who  can  look  coldly  on  a  blade 
shooting  from  its  unsightly  seed  into  verdure,  the  sacred  and 
startling  emblem  of  that  mortal  which  is  to  put  on  immortality. 

And  how  much  of  the  poetry  of  life  springs  from  flowers ! 
How  delicate  a  pleasure  is  it  to  twine  the  orange-blossom  or 
japonica  for  the  bride — to  arrange  a  bouquet  for  the  invalid — 
to  throw  simple  flowers  into  the  lap  of  childhood — and  to  pull 
rosebuds  for  the  girl  of  whom  they  are  the  emblem ! 

But  gardens  are  not  all  poetry  :  witness  the  long-drawn  coun 
tenance  of  the  lady  whose  delicious  geraniums  are  crumbled  to 
yellow  weeds  by  the  frost ;  witness  the  housewife,  whose  imagi 
nation  has  sprung  forward  to  the  moment  when  her  savory  cab 
bages  shall  enter  on  her  dinner-table,  as  fit  companions  to  boiled 
pork  or  beef,  when  she  visits  her  garden,  and  finds  that  a  hard 
hearted  fowl  has  deliberately  picked  the  plants  up  by  the  roots, 
rifled  their  green  leaves,  and  left  only  withered  relics ;  witness 
the  gentleman  who  has  watched  his  figs  and  grapes  with  such 
interest  that  even  the  daily  paper  has  been  laid  aside  to  note 
their  development,  when  he  finds  that  the  insects,  with  keener 
instinct  than  himself,  have  seized  upon  the  ripe  subjects  and 
rifled  their  very  cores ! 

There  are  other  mortifications,  that  seem  petty  in  detail,  but 
which  inflict  a  real  pang  on  the  florist.  How  often  have  I  spent 
hours  of  culture  on  a  rare  blossom,  and  presented  it  as  a  valua 
ble  gift,  seen  it  received  with  smiles  and  thanks,  and  then  ob 
served  the  thoughtless  recipient  crumble  up  the  leaves  in  her 


304  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    SOUTHERN    MATRON. 

fingers,  or  pull  and  throw  them  on  the  floor,  or  deliberately  rJieu 
them ! 

Sometimes  individuals  have  visited  my  garden  and  gathered 
flowers  which  have  cost  me  not  only  time  and  labor,  but  heavy 
pecuniary  sums,  as  unconcernedly  as  they  would  a  blade  of 
grass ;  sometimes,  when  I  have  cherished  a  little  slip  until  it 
has  shown  signs  of  independent  existence,  a  considerate  lady 
has  begged  me  for  a  cutting ! 

Other  vexations,  too,  occur,  on  which  the  florist  does  not  cal 
culate  when  she  yields  up  her  heart  to  flowers.  An  English 
man  presented  me  with  four  seeds,  on  the  envelope  of  which 
was  written  an  almost  unpronounceable  name,  long  and  imposing. 
I  was  never  selfish,  and,  in  the  warmth  of  my  heart,  gave  two  to 
botanists.  I  planted  mine,  and  watched  them  day  by  day.  At 
last  they  came  up,  and,  with  the  pride  of  a  florist,  I  carried  my 
friends  to  see  the  first  leaves.  At  length  they  grew,  they  bud 
ded,  they  blossomed — and  behold,  they  were  common  four- 
o'clocks! 

A  botanist  from  Georgia  favored  me  with  two  fine  bulbs  of 
the  delicate  Iris  Persica.  I  valued  them  highly  for  their  giver's 
•sake  as  well  as  their  own,  and  planted  them  with  care  and  hope. 
A  few  mornings  after,  a  little  negro  waiting-boy  ran  into  the 
house  exclaiming — 

"  Oh,  missis,  de  cat  pull  you  inion  out  of  de  jar !" 

A  friend  of  mine,  however,  was  still  more  unfortunate  in 
having  a  dish  of  Prince's  best  bulbs  boiled  for  dinner  ! 

Yet  all  these  things  will  not  rebuff  the  true  lover  of  nature. 
She  will  enjoy  the  sparkling  bud  in  the  morning's  ray,  and  love 
the  perfume  as  daylight  dies ;  and  a  moral  freshness  will  settle 
over  her  thoughts  like  heaven's  dew,  as  she  traces  the  hand  of 
Providence  in  her  flowers. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

A    M  O  T  H  E  E. — T  HE    CONCLUSION. 

"  To  teach  rooted  sorrow  the  lesson  of  submission  ;  to  succor  virtue  amid  mighty 
emptations ;  to  dispel  the  awful  sadness  of  the  inevitable  hour  ;  these  are  the  victories 
>f  the  Christian  faith  ;  the  grand,  and  peculiar,  and  imperishable  evidences  of  ita 
power." — PROFESSOR  GODDARD. 

OUR  country  solitude  was  made  glad  by  the  birth  of  a  son, 
and  my  parents  were  with  me  to  heighten  my  joy  and  gratitude. 
On  no  other  occasion  does  a  woman's  heart  open  so  sweetly  to 
sympathy  as  when,  clasping  her  first  infant  to  her  breast,  she 
feels  that  she  has  added,  with  tremor  and  suffering,  another  link 
to  that  human  chain  which,  descending  from  heaven,  will  reach 
to  heaven  again.  There  is  something  still  inexpressibly  affect 
ing  to  me  in  infancy,  in  its  earliest  stage,  before  will  has  put 
forth  its  impertinent  little  feelers.  I  love  to  take  the  tiny 
hand,  which  almost  melts  in  its  fragility,  in  mine,  and  press  the 
unconscious  cheek,  and  see  the  pulses  of  the  protecting  lid  that 
covers  the  still  unopened  eyes.  Papa  was  in  raptures.  His 
natural  hilarity  burst  forth  into  almost  boyish  frolic.  He  thrust 
a  ramrod  between  the  fingers  of  the  frail  little  thing,  threw  a 
powder-horn  round  his  neck,  and  sang  hunting  choruses  until  I 
was  obliged  to  stop  my  ears. 

No  other  state  of  society  can  show  a  scene  like  that  which 
was  presented  at  Bellevue  on  the  third  Sabbath  after  the  birth 
of  our  son.  All  the  negroes,  dressed  in  their  best,  came  to 
welcome  their  ycmng  maussa,  bringing  offerings  of  eggs  and 


"•«-.- 

steeper,    deporxsei.  1*2151.  m.  IhiE  Imie  iuerr.  lar  k. 


*.ud  etuiefl  nj-  XL  Animr  «&d  ars 
:'   z.f-.-L^.'m  f or  iiim  jjjd  for -e&eh -roiita1-     WIIT 
^detfill  TTIULT  iBiTliignt  iiaT?  fdt  .«ad  deseriftted  i  «^i><5  j«r  I  mar. 
far  aEfanrfT,  Eke  SmpperE.  »  «JVBJ«  fresk.     I  utfiT  -wH  irc'ir.  «f 
in-  rested  in  mj  arm&.  i»efc^e  -esrpiresfeirc.  bert^  to  HXPiaid  idf 

':."-'-  _    .    '         •-••....-.:.        ..'..'  .      .      .        ......          .    .   : 

i  as  a  toreii  liif  rase,  iriiidk  ov;e§  its  «ii€ff  •be&iirr  T&  li*1  faaae 

.  -  .    '        .  '        . .    :        .::..•:'.-•.. 

t«f  Srst  If  re  *»eeii«jd  reDe^reii  .  l-.v  vt  inmj 

'      .:'-:'  -.  '     "   .    -.  :  .  .  ..':.- 

deeper 'f  amnrcL  iearnir  in  ii»  scxfr   ealLtiesfr  tisai  i»e 
attrt  :  I  IDST  teilL  v:  M&BI  iv  m^iierfc.  iic»ir  I  gxKni  a,t  iiie 

.  •  r~  lL'_r-  iiiS  -* 

-...:.:-•:••.-:..•...     ......    •    .  •  -      •      •  ;     - 


I  i 


;-.....  : •          . 

•-.--..  .    •     ••  .  •     .     :•;;.       .     - :".-.•••.. 

-     . ..:.'....      ......    _     •.  .  •  -   •      -  .     .  •       .'-.'.     .- 

f  itsh  it  t  pixttfi^  n«  jw  iiiiL  fiuJ  t,^^-  ii;  itv  iufiue      WMA 

.-..'.-  . 


T-  -  .  - 

rstiK  inn.  joii  iae  :aaaj*£  BQ  ^«si  laiasi 
OIK 


_J 

- 
i 




I r .  i  .1 .  :r    J  V^IC-     U>  MtL'VfT^ 


T-  \^i  . 

iucrtr  K  :  : 

^_~       ^-    .-    - 
j£  A  Jr 


>   CU.     .T-r-S 

ic  a«at^i«imiT    jaw  ?juE?t  «M£  ia«2t~  ac--::^c  jfe  ssMOg. 

:T     :.' 

jLr-iiur  s>cT3w  sau.  i-  n.^:.^r:     "   i^  ^    •-       ^     21.*   3\-j, 

. 

^5r^ 

-       ! 


- 

^ 


308  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

How  differently  that  soft  planet  rises  on  different  eyes  !  The 
child  looks  on  its  beauty  like  a  plaything,  and  clasps  his  hands 
in  joy  ;  the  young  girl  cherishes  its  sweet,  mysterious  rays,  and 
images,  dearer  and  more  tender,  pour  their  light  on  her  ro 
mantic  spirit ;  the  traveller  blesses  it  on  his  way,  and  thinks 
of  eyes  softer  and  brighter  than  its  beams  at  home ;  the  hus 
bandman  prophesies  in  its  silver  radiance  sunshine  for  the  mor 
row  5  the  lover,  like  the  Pythagorean,  fixes  his  earnest  eye  on 
the  glittering  orb,  longing  to  trace  there  the  thought  of  a  dear 
one  and  inscribe  his  own ;  and  the  astronomer  gazes  on  the 
beautiful  glory  in  scientific  pride;  but  alas,  for  me,  on  that 
night  it  rose  like  a  separate  ball  of  fire,  without  blending  or 
harmony.  There  was  no  light  on  earth  ;  nature  was  chaotic. 
I  saw  but  one  object,  the  dead  form  of  my  boy,  stiff  and  cold, 
unsmiling,  unanswering. 

My  kind  women  looked  at  me  pityingly,  and  were  eloquent 
with  their  simple  religious  consolation.  Thev  were  idle  words 
to  me.  God  had  struck  the  rock  of  my  soul,  but  the  blow  had 
hardened  it.  The  waters  gushed  not  forth.  Arthur  still  slept ; 
men  can  sleep.  I  went  hurriedly  and  sought  the  materials  for 
a  shroud,  and  sat  down  by  my  boy,  and  some  wild  association 
made  me  bind  the  white  ribands  from  my  bridal  dress  on  his 
last  garment. 

I  could  not  look  at  him,  and  yet  his  image  was  indefinitely 
multiplied  ;  wherever  I  turned  then,  and  for  weeks  after,  amid 
sunshine  or  darkness,  by  the  social  hearth  or  in  the  solitude  of 
my  chamber,  all  was  darkness,  except  where  luminous  points 
shone  on  a  dead  child. 

We  carried  our  boy  to  Roseland,  and  deposited  his  precious 
remains  at  Cedar  Mound.  It  stormed  that  night  after  he  was 
laid  in  his  cold  bed.  I  shuddered  ;  the  change  was  too  hor 
rible  between  my  loving  arms  and  that  pelting  rain.  I  asked 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  309 

why  God  could  not  have  translated  his  cherub  form  to  heaven? 
I  could  have  borne  his  happy,  upward  flight,  and  waved  my 
hand  to  him  as  in  an  earthly  parting,  when  the  white  clouds 
opened  to  take  him  in  ;  and  I  would  have  fancied  that  young 
mellifluous  voice  chanting  its  new-born  tones,  and  the  sweet 
surprise  of  his  unclosing  gaze ;  but  to  leave  him  there  !  Father 
in  Heaven ;  thou  hast  pardoned  the  rebellion  of  a  heart  in  its 
first  gush  of  grief ! 

The  sympathy  of  my  parents  was  consoling;  but  I  missed 
my  boy  on  his  grandfather's  knee,  and  his  prattle  by  his  grand 
father's  side.  In  the  restlessness  of  my  soul  I  returned  to 
Bellevue.  Everything  had  been  removed  that  could  remind  me 
of  him.  His  little  hat  and  cloak  hung  no  more  in  the  passage  ; 
his  barrow  and  whip  were  gone  from  the  garden-path;  his 
carved  alphabet  no  longer  strewed  the  floor,  nor  did  his  dis 
figured  toy-books  meet  my  eye  ;  all  was  dreary  order  and  de 
corum  ;  but,  with  all  their  care,  could  they  prevent  his  graceful 
image  from  haunting  those  familiar  scenes  ?  How  often  did  T 
hear  his  footsteps  on  the  stairs,  his  shout  in  the  court-yard  ! 
How  often  fancy  his  arms  about  my  neck,  and  feel  his  eager 
kisses  on  my  cheek !  How  often  did  I  press  my  struggling 
heart  and  cry,  "  My  son  !  my  son  !  would  to  God  that  I  had 
died  for  thee  !" 

Arthur  watched  my  feelings  tenderly.  He  sat  by  me  hour 
by  hour,  silently,  but  with  looks  that  said,  "  My  poor  stricken 
one  !  The  storm  has  dealt  hardly  with  thee,  but  flowers  will 
not  grow  unless  water  and  winds  descend  as  well  as  sunshine. 
I  will  be  very  patient,  and  hold  my  heart  all  ready  for  thee, 
when  thy  love  and  hope  shall  ask  for  their  accustomed  nest." 

What  an  education  poor  humanity  requires  to  train  it  for 
Heaven  !  I  had  thought  myself  religious,  and  yet,  when  God 
took  back  the  gift  he  had  bestowed,  a  gift  that  had  brightened 


310  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A 

my  being  for  three  happy  years,  I  could  not  bless  him  for  the 
past  joy.  My  rebellious  spirit  charged  even  Heaven  with  in 
justice. 

Arthur's  unwearied  love,  my  little  Anna's  caresses,  and  the 
softening  hand  of  time,  slowly  wrought  their  sweet  and  natural 
influence.  I  began  not  to  look  exclusively  on  the  grave  ;  I  lis 
tened  as  the  buds  of  spring  told  their  beautiful  story  of  a  new- 
clothed  soul ;  I  loved  to  think  that  the  chill  feel  of  earth  was 
giving  place  to  the  flowers  that  began  to  gem  my  darling's  dis 
tant  bed  ;  and,  as  time  passed  on,  I  forgot  the  flowers  of  earth, 
and  thought  only  of  heaven's  garden,  where  my  boy  was  wait 
ing  for  me  to  come.  Death,  since  my  first  bereavement,  has 
never  borne  the  same  aspect.  I  have  lost  a  gentle  girl,  and  let 
her  pass  quietly,  with  scarce  a  tear  on  her  grave  ;  my  thoughts 
went  upward  to  my  growing  family  above.  I  could  bear  to 
look  on  the  soft  curl  that  had  lain  on  her  brow,  and  fold  the 
garments  that  had  clothed  her  living  form. 

My  mother  followed  ;  I  fancied  the  meeting  between  her  and 
my  cherub  children,  and  did  not  ask  her  back  to  a  world  where 
she  could  die  again.  I  closed  Richard's  eyes  of  love,  and  my 
heart  said,  "  God's  will  be  done." 

Long  and  refreshing,  when  my  mind  became  calm,  were  my 
conversations  with  Arthur  on  the  death  of  our  boy. 

"  We  had  commenced  a  bright  career,  dearest,"  he  said  ; 
"  who  knows  but  the  world  might  have  engrossed  us,  and  made 
us  sell  our  heavenly  birthright  1  Our  social  pleasures  will 
hereafter  be  modified  by  higher  hopes.  We  have  never  given 
our  public  testimony  to  Christianity ;  let  us  go,  beloved  ;  let 
us  plant  this  seed  of  immortality.  Our  precious  boy  rushed 
like  a  fresh  fountain,  and  emptied  himself  in  his  first  purity 
into  the  ocean  of  eternity  ;  but  we  are  checked  and  clogged  by 
earthly  obstacles,  and  must  ask  for  aid  to  clear  the  onward 


SOUTHERN    MATRON.  311 

stream,  that  it  may  reflect  heaven  from  its  bosom.  Christian 
ordinances  are  noble  aids  ;  they  degrade  no  lofty  association, 
they  wither  no  social  affections,  but,  like  the  supports  to  the 
failing  arms  of  the  prophets  of  old,  they  lift  up  our  souls  until 
our  earthly  fight  is  won." 

We  went  together  to  fulfil  the  command  of  Jesus.  I  do  not 
say  that  any  mysterious  power  was  communicated  to  elevate  us 
aljoir.  human  nature  :  but  still  I  feel  that,  from  time  to  time, 
:ifr<>r  the  self-examination  of  those  holy  hours,  a  truer  zest  is 
ii'ivon  to  social  happiness,  a  juster  feeling  of  duty,  and  a  clearer 
souse  of  our  relations  as  immortals. 


RECOLLECTIONS 


A  NEW  ENGLAND  BRIDE 


AND 


HOUSEKEEPER 


Quickly.    Look  you,  1  keep  his  house,  and  wash,  wring,  brew,  bake,  scour,  dress 
meat  and  drink,  make  the  beds,  and  do  all  myself. 
Simple.    'Tis  a  great  charge  to  come  under  one  body's  hand. 


NEW    YOKK: 
G.   P.   PUTNAM   &   CO.,    10   PARK   PLACE. 

1852. 


TO    MRS.     FAY, 

OF    CAMBRIDGE,    MASS., 

THE  FOLLOWING  AUTHENTIC  SKETCHES, 

THE  MINGLED   RESULT 
OF   OBSERVATION   AND   EXPERIENCE. 

ARE  AFFECTIONATELY  DEDICATED  BY 

THE  AUTHOR. 

CHARLESTON,  S.  C.,  1834. 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  A  HOUSEKEEPER. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Ici  tout  est  vivant,  tout  parle  a  ma  memoire. 

TRENKUIL. 

Far  up  the  tide  of  time  I  turn  my  sail. 

ROGERS. 

MY  maiden  name  was  Clarissa  Gray.  I  was  born  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Boston  (Mass.),  in  17 — ,  and  educated  with  the 
few  facilities  at  that  time  afforded  for  the  young ;  that  is,  I 
read  "  No  man  may"  in  Webster's  spelling-book,  then  advanced 
to  the  more  elaborate  "  Art  of  Speaking,"  and  committed  to 
memory,  page  by  page,  Morse's  Geography,  without  maps,  of 
course  in  glorious  uncertainty  with  regard  to  the  position  even 
of  my  own  country.  My  ciphering-book,  however,  was  my 
pride,  and  my  mother's  too.  With  what  delight  did  she  display 
those  sums,  that  rose  like  Banquo's  ghosts, 

"  And  drew  at  each  remove  a  lengthening  chain." 

At  the  age  of  eight  years  I  recollect  seeing  my  mother  read 
ing  a  thin  black  book,  which  attracted  my  attention.  It  was 
"  Blair's  Grave,"  and  she  read  me  the  passage, 

"  But  see,  the  well-plumed  hearse  comes  nodding  on." 

How  distinctly  my  imagination  pictured  that  hearse  and  those 


318  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

nodding  plumes  !  I  recollect  no  other  books,  until  I  sa^  and 
devoured  Shakspeare,  at  the  age  of  nine,  except  an  odd  volume 
of  Pope,  containing  "  The  Messiah,"  and  "  The  Rape  of  the 
Lock."  I  sometimes  look  around  on  the  mass  of  books  col 
lected  by  my  children,  and  am  half  skeptical  with  regard  to  the 
value  of  juvenile  literature,  when  I  remember  how  my  mind 
opened  under  the  mysteries  of  those  writings. 

In  justice,  however,  to  the  good  tendency  of  engravings.  I 
must  mention,  that  the  effect  produced  on  me  by  the  only  two 
picture-books  I  possessed  was  an  important  one.  One  of  them 
was  "  "Watts's  Hymns  for  Infant  Minds,"  where  fighting  ani 
mals  are  portrayed.  When  friends  have  wounded  or  foes  op 
pressed  me,  the  strong  but  simple  lines  which  elucidate  the  pic 
ture, 

"  Let  dogs  delight  to  bark  and  bite," 

have  arisen  to  my  memory,  and  calmed  my  chafed  spirit,  when 
mere  flimsy  sentiment  would  have  afforded  me  no  shelter 
against  wrong. 

The  other  book,  and  it  is  as  distinct  to  my  imagination  now 
as  the  rich  landscape  by  Fisher  which  hangs  before  me,  con 
tained  a  representation  of  Miss  Kitty  Greedy  leaning  both  el 
bows  on  a  table,  with  her  mouth  crammed  to  repletion,  trying 
in  vain  to  address  her  mamma.  The  men-ale  has  clung  to  me 
to  this  day,  and  I  never  see  a  young  or  old  gourmand,  or  de 
tect  myself  in  a  superfluous  mouthful,  without  thinking  of  Kitty 
Greedy. 

The  utmost  term  of  my  solid  education  was  one  year  of  at 
tendance  at  the  town  school — a  square  building,  with  one  room 
for  both  sexes,  near  an  open  common,  without  a  shrub  or  tree 
to  grace  or  shade  it.  Thither,  bearing  my  own  satchel,  & 
walked  a  mile,  being  a  journey  of  four  miles  daily,  to  make  my 
"  young  idea  shoot."  I  will  not  say  much  for  my  ideas,  but 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  319 

my  limbs  were  not  backward  in  the  process.  I  shot  up  into  a 
tail  girl,  and  was  allowed  to  go  occasionally  with  my  mother  to 
take  tea  sociably  with  her  friends  at  four  o'clock,  carrying  my 
knitting-work  for  occupation. 

My  accomplishments  are  soon  told.  I  opened  an  exhibition 
ball  with  one  of  the  slow  minuets  of  the  last  century,  and  I  can 
not  but  stop  to  render  a  tribute  of  admiration  to  that  charming 
movement,  in  spite  of  the  admirers  of  the  lazy  quadrille,  or  the 
seductive  waltz. 

A  single  courtesy  or  bow,  when  well  ordered,  is  graceful ; 
think  then  how  delightful  must  be  the  spectacle  of  a  series  of 
these  beautiful  curves,  performed  to  slow  and  appropriate  mu 
sic,  by  so  attractive  a  couple  as  I  certainly  believed  Clarissa 
Gray  and  my  partner  Benjamin  Homes  to  be.  He  was  a  red- 
cheeked  boy  of  thirteen,  and  had  a  pair  of  new  white  gloves  for 
the  occasion,  unharmed  by  contact  with  mine,  for  the  minuet 
allows  but  the  meeting  of  the  extremities  of  the  fingers,  and 
that  lightly.  I  know  not  thy  destiny,  Benjamin,  but  I  have 
sometimes  wished  thou  mightst  tread  through  life  on  such 
polished  footing,  with  sweet  music  to  lead  thee,  and  a  partner 
as  kind. 

My  teacher  honored,  or  rewarded  me  with  a  choice  of  fancy 
dances,  and  I  decided  on  the  slow  minuet.  How  brilliant  was 
the  scene  !  Our  old  clergyman  and  his  lady  were  stationed  in 
conspicuous  seats,  and  looked  on  with  benevolent  smiles.  We 
scarcely  felt  the  floor  while  moving  with  a  step  closely  resem 
bling  the  waltz,  our  hands  raised  the  top  of  each  forefinger  mak 
ing  a  circle  with  the  thumb,  then  slowly  descending,  while  with 
sidelong  glances,  and  sidelong  steps,  with  measured  obeisances, 
we  evolved  the  "  poetry  of  motion." 

I  commenced  learning  music  upon  an  old  spinet  of  my  moth 
er's  ;  but  her  indulgence  soon  imported  me  for  a  harpsichord  of 


320  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

the  latest  fashion,  and  though  my  more  fastidious  ear  may  be 
critically  pleased  with  the  improvements  in  the  modern  piano 
forte,  I  have  never  felt  so  rapt  and  raised  as  when  I  sang  to  a 
silent  circle,  "  Henry's  Cottage  Maid."  or  "  Her  mouth  which  a 
smile,"  to  my  own  harpsichord. 

My  sampler  was  one  of  unrivalled  beauty.  It  possessed 
every  shade  and  glory  of  tent-stitch.  At  the  upper  corners 
were  cherubs'  heads  and  wings.  Under  the  alphabets  stood 
Adam  and  Eve,  draperied  with  fig-leaves,  and  between  them 
these  appropriate  lines — 

"  Clarissa  Gray  is  my  name, 
My  age  is  ten. 

This  work  in  hand  my  friends  may  have, 
When  I  am  dead  and  laid  in  grave." 

This  sampler  was  a  matter  of  curiosity,  and  sometimes  of  ridi 
cule,  to  my  children ;  but  now  that  they  perceive  my  gray  hairs 
and  increasing  infirmities,  I  find  the  sampler  neatly  folded  and 
laid  aside,  and  sometimes  a  conscious  look  reveals  to  me  that 
they  think  I  may  soon  be  folded  to  rest  in  the  grave. 

Our  pecuniary  circumstances  enabled  us  to  indulge  in  the 
luxuries  of  life ;  but  none  of  these  interfered  with  my  education 
for  usefulness.  My  mother  was  proud  to  say  that  I  could 
manufacture  a  frilled  shirt  in  two  days,  with  stitches  that  re 
quired  a  microscope  to  detect  them.  I  made  my  own  bed, 
swept  and  dusted  the  apartments,  mended  my  own  clothes,  and 
when  pudding  or  cake  was  to  be  made,  rolled  up  my  sleeves, 
and  went  to  beating  eggs,  with  strokes  that  I  should  half  like  to 
see  given  to  lazy  modern  girls,  lolling  over  new-fangled  cookery- 
books.  But  this  was  not  all. 

"  Clarissa,"  said  my  judicious  mother,  "  by  not  knowing  how 
to  make  puddings  and  pies,  you  may  be  occasionally  mortified  ; 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  321 

but  if  you  are  ignorant  of  roasting  and  boiling,  you  may  be  an 
noyed  every  day." 

On  washing  and  ironing  days,  therefore,  I  spent  a  large  por 
tion  of  my  time  in  the  kitchen  ;  well  known,  on  such  occasions, 
as  the  New-England  Pandemonium.  Quite  contented  did  I 
feel,  if  able  to  retire  to  my  bed-room, "  my  loop-hole  of  retreat," 
by  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  The  only  domestic  I  distinctly 
remember  in  my  mother's  establishment  was  a  washerwoman, 
called  Ma'am  Bridge,  whose  mouth  and  chin  resembled  the 
modern  pictures  of  old  Mother  Hubbard,  and  who  was  an  extra 
assistant  on  washing  days.  She  wore  a  mob  cap,  with  a  broad 
unstarched  frill,  which,  in  hanging  out  clothes  against  the  wind, 
fell  back,  displaying  her  sharp  physiognomy.  One  day  I  was 
laying  some  ham  on  the  gridiron,  my  mother  preferring  it 
broiled  to  fried,  while  Ma'am  Bridge  was  sudsing  the  clothes 
in  a  tub  before  her,  and  dexterously  throwing  them  into  a  rins 
ing  tub  behind.  A  sudden  thunder-gust  had  arisen,  and  a  bril 
liant  flash  of  lightning  blazed  through  the  kitchen.  I  heard  a 
great  splash,  and  turning  round  saw  Ma'am  Bridge  seated  in  the 
wash-tub,  with  the  water  gushing  out  on  all  sides  ;  her  head  was 
thrown  back,  and  her  broad  frill  with  it,  developing  a  mingled 
expression  of  consternation  at  the  danger,  and  joy  at  her 
escape.  It  was  one  of  those  odd  combinations  in  which  the 
ludicrous  triumphs  over  the  fearful.  As  she  rose  from  the 
tub,  like  Venus  from  her  shell,  or  Cowper's  Rose,  "  all  dripping 
and  drown'd,"  I  laughed  until  I  brought  upon  myself  her  just 
indignation. 

I  do  not  feel  myself  called  upon  to  say  how  many  loaves  of 
bread,  under  my  apprenticeship,  came  out  of  the  oven  as  heavy 
as  a  bad  joke,  or  as  sour  as  an  unkind  one  ;  how  my  pickles 
turned  soft  and  yellow ;  how  I  filled  a  bed  without  curing  the 
feathers  ;  how  I  put  pepper  instead  of  alspice  into  a  batch  of 

14* 


322  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE. 

mince-pies  ;  how  many  chemical  separations  instead  of  affinities 
took  place  in  my  baked  beans  and  Indian  puddings  ;  and  how 
my  pan-dowdy  disconcerted  all  the  family,  except  my  cousin 
Sam,  a  black-eyed  boy,  with  a  raging  appetite,  who  dined  with 
us  every  Sunday,  and  who  affirmed  that  the  paste  was  not  tough, 
and  that  he  did  not  mind  if  the  apple  cores  did  choke  him  a 
little.  These  mischances  will  happen  in  every  department,  and 
I  may  claim  the  sympathy  of  the  lawyer  who  blunders  in  his 
maiden  speech,  of  the  doctor  who  kills  his  first  patient,  and  of 
the  preacher  who  soothes  his  first  hearers  to  sleep.  This  ac 
knowledgment,  however,  I  will  make  en  passant,  that  my 
mother's  persevering  tuition  in  cookery  has  saved  me  a  thou 
sand  mortifications,  to  which  I  have  seen  ignorant  housewives 
exposed. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE     FIRST     TRIAL. 

PARSON  EVANS.— It  were  a  good  motion  if  we  give  over  pribbles  and  prabbles,  and 
desire  a  marriage  between  Master  Abraham  and  Mistress  Page. 

IT  was  beginning  to  be  a  subject  of  deep  calculation  with  me, 
whether  a  brunette  should  wear  pink  or  yellow  riband  on  her 
bonnet ;  and  I  had  decided  on  the  former,  when  one  Sabbath, 
on  entering  the  meeting-house,  I  observed  a  stranger  outside 
the  porch,  and  on  glancing  at  the  gallery  after  I  was  seated,  I 
again  perceived  him  there.  I  thought  he  looked  at  our  pew 
more  than  was  correct,  but,  somehow  or  other,  I  kept  looking 
at  him  to  see  whether  he  would  become  more  attentive  to  the 
exercises,  and  thus  our  eyes  repeatedly  met. 

After  service  he  came  to  the  porch,  for  in  New  England  peo 
ple  retire  from  their  pews  with  a  silent  bow  to  their  acquain 
tance,  and  introduced  himself  to  my  mother  as  Mr.  Packard 
from  Boston,  the  son  of  a  friend.  He  remained  a  few  days  at 
the  village  on  law  business,  for  he  was  an  attorney,  and  though 
my  mother  was  one  of  the  most  unostentatious  women  in  the 
world,  yet  before  he  left  us  she  made  him  understand  that  I 
could  skewer  a  goose,  roll  puff  paste,  complete  a  shirt,  and 
make  a  list  carpet,  as  well  as  I  played  on  the  spinet  and  worked 
tent-stitch.  She  was  on  the  point  of  telling  him  that  I  could 
spin  a  little,  but  I  protested  against  anything  so  old-fashioned. 


324  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

According  to  my  motto.  I  "  gave  over  pribbles  and  prnbbles." 
and  married,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  Edward  Packard.  I  re 
member  the  moment,  when,  after  a  short  drive.  I  first  entered 
my  adopted  home  in  the  North  Square,  one  of  the  most  genteel 
quarters  in  the  then  town  of  Boston.  The  new  carpet,  new 
chairs,  and  new  mahogany,  with  its  virgin  hue,  undarkened  by 
wax  or  turpentine,  are  all  before  me.  My  mother  was  with 
me,  and  though  she  held  one  of  my  hands,  and  my  husband  the 
other.  I  could  not  restrain  my  tears  from  falling,  happy  though 
they  were. 

I  felt  half  ashamed  to  praise  the  parlor- furniture,  though  I 
secretly  said,  "  It  is  mine."  On  recovering  from  my  shyness. 
I  visited  the  various  apartments,  and  I  think  I  was  most  at 
tracted  by  the  nicely  sanded  kitchen,  not  even  excepting  a  closet, 
which  I  might  now  call  a  boudoir^  fitted  up  expressly  for  me  by 
my  husband. 

How  bright  were  those  new  tins  and  brasses,  arranged  with 
ostentatious  glitter  on  the  walls  and  dresser !  How  comfort 
able  that  suspended  warming-pan  !  How  red  and  clean  those 
bricks,  extending  to  the  right  and  left,  leaving  space  for  a 
family  in  the  corners.  A  settle,  too,  that  glory  of  New-Eng 
land  kitchens,  was  there,  now  banished  for  the  inhospitable  chair. 
which  accommodates  one  instead  of  three  !  I  had  often  pre 
sided  in  a  parlor,  but  rever  before  was  mistress  of  a  kitchen  ! 

A  council  had  been  called  previous  to  my  marriage  of  the 
number  of  "  help"  which  we  should  require,  and  it  was  decided 
that  a  female  cook,  and  a  little  girl  to  "  wait  and  tend,"  would 
answer  our  purpose,  and  be  sufficiently  genteel. 

I  was  introduced,  on  that  memorable  evening,  to  Nancy,  the 
cook.  She  was  the  picture  of  cleanliness.  She  had  on,  what  is 
called  in  New  England,  a  "  calico  short  loose  gown,"  and  at  the 
south  "  a  chintz  wrapper,"  with  a  check  apron,  a  little  starched, 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  325 

tied  round  her  waist.  Both  cook  and  kitchen  were  in  perfect 
keeping. 

"  Well,  Nancy,"  said  I,  with  a  half  modest,  half  patronizing 
tone,  ':  I  am  a  young  housekeeper,  but  I  dare  say  we  shall  get 
along  very  well." 

"  Oh,  ma'am,"  replied  Nancy,  il  /am  not  at  all  petikelar.  I 
never  has  no  differences  with  nobody." 

How  amiable  !  thought  I  ;  and  I  gave  her  a  calico  bag,  con 
taining  iron-holders,  kettle-holders,  wipers,  and  dishcloths,  pre 
sented  me  by  an  old  aunt,  who  had  quilted  them  for  the  occa 
sion,  and  who  said,  with  a  commiserating  voice,  as  she  presented 
them.  ':  Young  housekeepers  have  no  rags,  poor  things  !" 

The  same  kind  friend  gave  me  a  rag-bag,  and  repeated  to  me 
an  anecdote  she  was  fond  of  relating,  of  a  lady  in  Cambridge, 
who  sold  rags  enough  at  four  cents  a  pound  to  buy  herself  a 
silver  porringer.  "  And  mind,  Clarissa,"  continued  she,  "  that 
you  do  not  throw  away  the  ends  of  your  thread — they  all  help 
to  fill  up."  I  heeded  her  directions ;  and  who  knows  but 
some  act  of  diplomacy,  or  some  effusion  of  genius,  may  have 
been  perpetuated  on  the  paper  made  from  my  "  shreds  and 
patches  ?" 

My  husband  was  at  home  nearly  all  the  first  week,  and  my 
mother,  nominally  my  guest,  relieved  me  from  every  care  ;  but 
on  the  Monday  following,  she  returned  to  her  own  residence, 
Edward  went  to  his  office,  and  1  was  left  alone.  I  soon  felt 
weary  of  idleness.  How  willingly  would  I  have  darned  a 
stocking,  or  clear-starched  a  muslin ;  but,  alas,  everything  was 
ivlwle.  and  in  order.  I  tried  to  find  a  withered  leaf  on  my 
geraniums,  but  they  all  looked  as  fresh  as  if  they  too  were  just 
married.  Centre-tables  were  not  then  in  fashion,  or  I  could 
have  beguiled  a  little  time  in  disarranging  them  for  effect ;  but 
no !  every  article  of  furniture  was  in  its  proper  parallel,  and 


326  RECOLLECTION    OF 

every  chair  at  right  angles  with  its  neighbor,  while  books  and 
knick-knacks,  as  drawing-room  luxuries,  were  unknown. 

To  amuse  the  tedious  hours  of  my  husband's  absence,  I  went 
into  the  kitchen,  and  offered  to  assist  Nancy  in  making  a  pud 
ding.  My  overtures  were  coldly  received,  but  I  thought  that 
that  might  be  "  her  way,"  and  I  proceeded  to  break  the  eggs, 
and  measure  the  milk,  giving  little  Polly  the  raisins  to  pick. 

"  We  don't  put  so  much  milk  as  that  ere  in  puddius,"  said 
Nancy,  eying  me  keenly. 

My  mother  had  taught  me  culinary  arts  with  great  care,  and 
I  felt  on  strong  ground  while  I  defended  my  quantity  of  milk. 
Nancy  answered  me  again  with  some  heat,  and  when  she  found 
me  following  my  own  recipe  in  silence,  dashed  the  sieve  full  of 
flour  on  the  table,  and  putting  her  arms  akimbo,  said, 

"  Well,  Miss  Packard,  if  you  will  spile  the  puddin,  you  must 
bake  it  yourself." 

I  was  thunderstruck !  A  bride,  to  whom  for  a  week  all  had 
submitted  as  to  a  queen  5  from  whom  commands  were  favors, 
and  requests  privileges  !  I  felt  the  blood  rush  to  my  face,  my 
hands  trembled,  and  fearing  to  expose  my  agitation,  I  quietly 
laid  down  the  materials  I  was  preparing,  and  said,  with  a  great 
effort  at  calmness, — 

"Finish  this  pudding,  and  bake  it  for  dinner." 

I  just  made  out  to  reach  the  parlor,  when  I  burst  into  tears, 
and  sobbed  like  a  child,  comforting  myself,  however,  with  the 
idea  that  I  should  compose  myself  and  bathe  my  eyes  before 
Edward  came  home.  But  that  was  not  to  be.  With  a  young 
husband's  impatience,  he  had  hurried  through  his  business,  and 
thinking  to  give  me  a  pleasant  surprise,  stood  by  my  side. 

I  cannot  describe  his  concern  at  my  situation,  while  I,  mor 
tified  to  the  heart  at  having  exposed  myself  in  tears  for  such  a 
trifle,  could  scarcely  explain  the  cause  of  my  distress.  When  I 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  327 

did  make  him  understand  the  nature  of  the  provocation  I  had 
received,  he  grew  angry  (I  had  never  seen  him  angry  before), 
and  walking  with  long  strides  into  the  kitchen,  he  dismissed 
Nancy  on  the  spot. 

With  a  woman's  glance,  I  saw  the  consequences.  Nancy  laid 
aside  a  raw  steak,  that  she  was  making  tender  by  her  passionate 
treatment,  and  walked  up  stairs  in  high  dudgeon,  not  forgetting 
to  take  up  the  wages  which  Edward  had  thrown  on  the  table. 
Five  minutes  after,  we  heard  her  departing  tramp  on  the  stairs. 

It  was  no  time  for  crying  now.  Little  Polly  and  I  had  to  go 
to  cooking  in  good  earnest.  My  husband  turned  off  the  affair, 
when  his  temper  was  cooled,  with  a  very  pleasant  grace,  and  as 
I  placed  the  before-mentioned  steak  on  the  gridiron,  exclaimed, 

"  Haste  hither,  Eve,  with  speed ; 
And  what  thy  stores  contain  bring  forth,  and  pour  abundance." 

When  our  dinner  was  cooked,  we  formed  a  procession  from 
the  kitchen  to  the  parlor.  Edward  bore  the  steak,  whistling  a 
march ;  I  followed,  laughing,  with  the  pudding,  for  we  had  to 
economize  time,  and  little  Polly,  enjoying  the  joke,  trudged 
after  with  the  potatoes. 

Still  we  felt  that  there  was  an  effort  in  all  this,  and  when  my 
husband  looked  at  me  for  the  first  time  alone,  at  his  table,  he 
perceived  that  the  kitchen  fire,  added  to  the  effects  of  weeping, 
had  deepened  the  hue  of  my  complexion  beyond  the  delicacy 
of  beauty,  and  as  I  was  assisting  him  to  a  potato,  detected  a 
spot  of  '•  smut"  (pot-black)  on  the  finger  on  which  he  had  placed 
a  pearl  ring.  I  blushed  deeper  crimson ;  and  tears,  those  trials 
to  young  wives,  started  to  my  eyes.  Edward  seemed  not  to 
notice  it,  and  I  transferred  the  sable  stain  to  one  of  my  bridal 
handkerchiefs. 


CHAPTER  III. 

SALLY    CURRY. 

She  is  not  the  fairest,  although  she  is  fair, 

O'  nice  education  but  sraa'  is  her  share, 

Her  parentage  humble  as  humble  can  be. — BCRNS. 

NOTHING  could  be  more  calm  than  our  evening  meal  after  the 
excitement  of  our  cook's  departure.  We  felt  the  happiness  of 
that  intercourse  where  "love  is."  It  was  autumn.  The  beauty 
and  freshness  of  summer  were  in  the  heavens,  and  the  warmth 
of  winter  on  our  hearth. 

I  felt  no  embarrassment  in  carrying  my  shining  brass  tea 
kettle  into  the  parlor,  and  making  tea  there,  which,  with  blush 
ing  importance,  I  poured  out  for  my  husband.  He  was  full  of 
the  gentle  pleasantry  of  satisfied  affection. 

Little  Polly  superintended  the  toasting  iron,  that  luxury  so 
little  known  in  some  places,  where  forks  are  destroyed  daily  in 
burning  one  piece  of  bread,  while  the  iron  toasts  three  in  less  time. 

My  mother  was  soon  apprized  of  the  loss  of  my  cook,  and  the 
very  next  evening  "  help"  came  in  the  form  of  a  gentle,  but  ig 
norant-looking  girl  of  eighteen.  She  was  one  to  whom  I  would 
willingly  have  extended  my  hand,  and  given  my  heart.  I 
dreaded  to  think  that  so  soft  a  creature  should  be  visited  by 
the  elements  "  too  roughly."  She  was  however  active,  and  her 
duties  were  soon  well  performed.  Sally  had  been  an  inmate  of 
my  family  but  six  weeks,  when  one  day  she  came  into  the  par- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE.  329 

lor,  and,  coloring  very  deeply,  handed  me  a  letter,  which  was 
written  as  follows. 


"  SALEM, 


"  Dear  Sally, — I've  got  home  safe  from  Calcutta,  and  reckon 
that  you  will  be  glad  to  see  me,  tho'  sometimes  I  aint  so  sure. 
I  calculate  to  be  in  Boston  by  to-morrow,  and  shall  find  you 
out.  If  you  haven't  got  another  sweetheart  I  shall  want  to 
marry  you  Sunday  night ;  if  you  have,  I  shall  take  ship  Mon 
day  morning  and  be  off  again. 

"  Yours  till  death, 

"SAM'L  CURRY. 

"  P.S. — I  have  had  two  lucky  'ventures,  and  we  shan't  want 
for  nothing.  I  hope  you  aint  lost  the  ring." 

"  Well,  Sally,"  said  I,  smiling,  "  am  I  to  lose  you  on  Sunday 
night?" 

"  I  am  afeard  so.  ma'ain,"  replied  she,  sliding  behind  the  door. 

"  Don't  be  ashamed,  Sally,"  said  I.  '•  I  have  shown  you  such 
an  example  of  marrying  one  whom  /  preferred,  that  I  am  sure 
I  cannot  blame  you." 

Upon  this  Sally  looked  up,  and  I  asked  her  how  long  she 
had  known  Mr.  Curry. 

Sally  began  twisting  a  gold  ring  that  was  on  the  fore-finger 
of  her  left  hand,  and  said, 

"  My  mother,  ma'am,  was  a  poor  woman  in  Salem,  the  widow 
of  a  sea-captain.  He  was  lost  on  a  voyage,  and  she  fell  sick, 
declining,  like.  I  was  her  only  child.  It  was  a  very  stormy 
night,  a  year  ago,  and  my  mother  was  very  ill.  I  sent  to  a 
neighbor  to  say  that  I  was  afeard  she  wouldn't  stand  it.  Our 
neighbor  sent  back  she  daresn't  leave  her  baby,  who  was  sick, 
but  a  young  man  what  was  boarding  there,  a  sailor  named 
Curry,  a  very  decent  person,  would  come  and  watch  with  me. 


330  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

I  was  thankful  to  see  a  living  countenance,  and  said  he  might 
come  and  welcome. 

Ci  That  was  a  forlorn  night ;  but  Mr.  Curry  helped  me  a  sight, 
My  mother  was  in  a  kind  of  faint  like  all  night,  and  he  was  as 
tender  as  a  child  to  her.  Once  he  began  to  tell  a  sea-story,  to 
try  and  cheer  me  up,  but  he  found  he  made  me  cry  more,  be 
cause  it  didn't  seem  somehow  respectful  to  talk  of  the  things 
of  life  by  a  death-bed,  and  he  stopped  talking,  and  only  now 
and  then,  when  he  found  he  couldn't  comfort  me,  nor  raise  her 
neither,  he  would  fetch  up  such  a  pitying  look,  as  if  he  wished 
he  could. 

"  Tho  day  was  just  dawning  when  my  mother  seemed  to  come 
to  a  little,  and  spoke  right  out,  '  Sally,  dear.' 

"  '  What,  mother  ?'  says  I,  and  my  heart  beat  as  if  it  would 
come  through. 

"  '  Is  there  anybody  with  you  ?'  says  she. 

" '  Yes,  dear  mother,  a  friend,'  says  I,  whispering. 

" '  Will  he  take  care  of  you  ?'  says  she,  and  she  looked  with 
her  sunk  eye  full  on  Curry. 

"  Curry  got  right  up,  and  came  by  the  bedside,  and  knelt 
down,  and  took  her  thin  hand,  and  said,  in  a  voice  quite  loud 
and  solemn,  '  I.will  take  care  of  her,  so  help  me  God.' 

"  She  didn't  say  another  word,  but  just  gave  a  kind  of  sigh, 
as  it  were  not  sorrowful,  but  as  if  she  was  satisfied,  and  squeezed 
his  hand,  and  so  she  died. 

u  The  sun  rose  then  quite  glorious.  The  light  didn't  look 
right  to  me  ;  it  shot  to  my  heart  like  ice,  and  I  would  rather 
have  had  it  dark  again. 

"  Curry  was  very  kind  and  serviceable  to  me,  but  just  as  he 
was  going  to  call  in  the  neighbors,  one  of  the  crew  came,  and 
said,  the  vessel  was  gettin  under  way,  and  he  must  go. 

"  There  wasn't  much  to  be  said,  because  he  had  to  go  so 


A  NEW  ENGLAND  BRIDE  AND  HOUSEKEEPER.       331 

quick,  but  he  kissed  me  once  (you  know  I  was  in  trouble,  and 
that  somehow  brings  us  all  equal),  and  took  a  gold  ring  out  of 
his  waistcoat  pocket,  and  putting  it  on  my  finger,  said, '  I  bought 
that  ring  for  my  sister  ;  but,  Miss  Sally,  I  love  you  more  than 
I  do  her  now,  and  if  I  live  to  come  back,  you  shall  see  that  I 
do,  that  you  shall.' 

"  I  felt  as  if  my  mother  had  died  over  again  when  he  went 
out,  but  the  neighbors  soon  came  in,  and  she  was  decently  laid 
out.  Curry  left  twenty  dollars  to  pay  expenses.  I  was  the 
only  mourner  at  her  funeral,  and  I  cried  enough  for  a  hundred  ; 
and  it  seemed  to  me.  the  night  after  the  funeral,  that  I  should 
like  to  go  and  throw  myself  into  the  ocean  that  poor  Curry 
sailed  on. 

"  Time  passed  on,  and  the  ring  was  a  kind  of  comfort  to  me. 
Sometimes  I  was  so  foolish  as  to  talk  to  it,  as  if  it  could  un 
derstand,  and  I  would  ask  it  questions  I  wouldn't  like  to  ask 
anybody  else. 

"  The  folks  told  me  I  should  get  higher  wages  in  Boston  than 
in  Salem,  and  I  have  made  out  tolerable.  I  don't  know  how 
it  was,  it  seemed  to  me  that  I  would  give  myself  a  year  to  hear 
good  news  in,  and  I  thought  I  might  as  well  be  laying  up  things 
with  my  earnings  when  they  turned  up  cheap,  so  that  I  have 
got  pretty  considerable  beforehand. 

"  I  hope,  ma'am,"  said  Sally  after  a  pause,  for  I  was  silent 
from  the  emotion  her  simple  story  caused  me — "  I  hope  you 
don't  think  I've  been  over-quick  in  my  liking.  I  heard  a  very 
good  character  of  Curry  from  the  folks  he  lodged  with,  and  the 
image  of  him  that  night  seemed  to  take  the  place  of  my  moth 
er's,  and  filled  up  a  very  heavy  want  in  my  heart." 

';  Oh  no,  Sally,"  said  I,  quite  charmed  with  her  simplicity, 
"  I  do  not  blame  you,  but  I  hear  the  sound  of  a  chaise  on  the 
pavement  at  the  side  door." 


332  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE. 

Sally's  color  went  and  came,  but  she  answered  a  sailor-like 
knock  from  the  outside,  and  I  believe  Curry  was  very  well  sat 
isfied  with  his  reception. 

This  was  Friday.  On  the  following  day  the  kitchen  had  an 
extra  cleaning.  I  beat  up  a  wedding-cake,  and  we  made  busy 
preparations  for  Sunday  evening. 

The  bride  looked  very  sweetly  in  a  plain  white  cambric  frock, 
and  as  she  stood  beside  Curry,  reminded  me  of  those  figures  we 
sometimes  see  delicately  chiselled  on  the  sterns  of  vessels  ; 
while  he  appeared  like  the  good  stout  ship,  which,  though  des 
tined  to  bear  her  through  winds  and  waves,  was  powerful  enough 
to  do  it  safely.  When  our  good  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lathrop, 
asked  him  the  customary  question,  "  Will  you  love,  protect,  and 
cherish  this  woman  ?"  &c.,  Curry  was  not  content  with  the 
simple  bowing  affirmative.  Something  seemed  struggling  in 
his  mind.  He  grasped  Sally's  hand,  and  with  such  an  utter 
ance  as  she  told  me  he  had  used  on  the  night  her  mother  died, 
said,  "  I  will,  so  help  me  God.' 

On  Monday  morning  my  husband  presented  Sally  with  a 
large  brass  kettle,  a  common  New-England  present  on  such 
occasions,  and  the  happy  couple  bade  us  farewell.  As  they 
rode  away,  Curry  waved  his  red  handkerchief,  and  Sally  put  her 
new  cambric  one  to  her  eyes,  between  tears  and  smiles.  I  never 
saw  my  pretty  cook  again. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CINDA    TYLER. 

How  now,  my  headstrong  ? 
Where  have  you  been  gadding  1 

Romeo  and  Juliet. 

I  HAD  become  so  much  attached  to  my  gentle  Sally,  that  I 
was  really  quite  dispirited  at  her  departure  ;  but,  not  being 
provided  with  immediate  assistance,  was  soon  engrossed  with 
household  cares.  And  let  no  one  underrate  the  value  of  those 
cares  to  an  unoccupied  or  even  a  harassed  mind,  whose  mental 
resources  are  limited.  Who  has  not  seen  the  tear  of  sorrow 
dry  away  amid  their  gentle  but  imperious  demands  ?  Who  has 
not  seen  oppressed  and  tender  women  forget,  in  the  routine 
which  constitutes  the  comfort  of  a  husband,  that  husband's  un- 
kindness  ?  And  then,  what  an  admirable  outlet  are  household 
cares  for  a  scold  !  View  that  face  screwed  up  to  moderation 
and  even  courtesy  at  the  breakfast  table.  How  gracefully  is 
that  cup  forwarded  !  What  gentle  accents  accompany  it ! 
But  the  lord  and  master  of  the  household  departs  !  Hear  his 
last  footstep,  and  then  notice  how  the  clouds  gather  round  that 
delicate  creature,  until  the  brow  is  contracted,  the  voice  is 
sharpened,  the  eye  darts  withering  beams,  and  those  lips  open 
(shall  I  say  it  ?)  for  the  unequivocal  terms  slut  and  hussy ! 
VVhile  sometimes,  rarely  I  hope,  the  tender  palm  comes  vibrat 
ing  in  unthoughtof  vigor  on  some  uncovered  ear,  or  (alas  for 


334  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

delicacy  !)  that  little  implement  which  once  won  the  heart  of  an 
Eastern  Prince,*  is  flourished  over  an  extended  and  trembling 
hand. 

My  mother,  with  a  mother's  care,  supplied  me  with  new 
"  help."  She  was  from  Vermont,  and  as  green  as  her  native 
hills.  Cinda  Tyler  was  her  name,  though  she  took  some  pains 
to  tell  me  she  was  christened  Lucinda. 

What  a  contrast  to  my  Sally  !  No  one  could  look  at  her 
without  thinking  of  strapper,  bouncer,  or  some  such  inelegant 
association.  She  had  carrot-colored  hair  of  unmanageable 
thickness,  even  when  the  experiment  of  a  comb  was  tried,  which 
was  rarely  done  except  on  the  Sabbath,  when  even  the  poorest 
in  New-England  feel  as  if  the  purity  of  the  body  should  honor 
the  day,  whatever  may  be  the  undress  of  the  soul. 

Cinda's  arms  were  bare  and  red,  large  and  short.  She  had  a 
perpetual  look  of  eager  curiosity.  There  were  a  few  things  I 
never  could  break  her  of.  She  invariably  nodded  her  head  to 
my  visitors,  even  if  she  had  a  dish  full  of  meat  in  her  hand,  and 
said,  "  How  fares  ye?"  And  say  it  she  would,  until  an  answer 
was  extorted,  whatever  might  be  the  repulsive  dignity  of  the 
person  addressed.  I  endeavored,  at  first  by  nods  and  signs,  to 
make  her  understand  that  this  ceremony  could  be  dispensed 
with,  but  all  in  vain ;  with  her  eyes  wide  open,  she  stood  at  my 
parlor  door,  "  making  her  manners"  (little  bobbing  courtesies), 
until  she  obtained  the  sought-for  notice.  Finding  her  incor 
rigible  to  hints,  I  told  her,  as  she  was  using  one  evening  the 

whole  artillery  of  her  politeness  on  Judge ,  a  friend  of  my 

husband's,  that  she  might  go  out.  She  opened  her  great  gray 
eyes  wider  than  ever,  and  said,  somewhat  gruffly,  "  I  ain't  a  goin 
to  let  his  honor  s'pose  I  was  brought  up  mungst  wild  criters." 
His  honor,  who  had  been  stating  a  case  of  great  interest,  roused 
*  See  Cinderella,  or  the  Little  Glass  Slipper. 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  #35 

by  her  voice,  perceived  her  for  the  first  time,  and  said,  with 
perfect  good-nature,  "  Ah,  how  d'ye  do  ?"  and  Cinda  set  him 
down  from  that  moment  as  a  gentleman  ;  and  so  he  was.  It  is 
that  immediate  conformity  to  the  feelings  of  individuals  that 
marks  a  gentleman  or  lady,  whether  they  address  their  equals 
or  inferiors. 

One  morning,  in  my  absence  from  home,  a  lady  called  to  see 
me.  and  Cinda,  from  sheer  curiosity,  anticipated  little  Polly  in 
going  to  the  door. 

"  Is  Mrs.  Packard  within  ?"  said  the  lady. 

"  No  ma'am,"  said  Cinda,  with  great  promptness,  "  but  you'd 
better  come  in  and  set  with  me  a  spell." 

I  met  my  intended  guest  at  the  gate,  and  could  not  account 
for  her  look  of  ill-suppressed  mirth,  until  Cinda  gave  me  a  hint 
of  what  she  called  manners  in  her  reception. 

Another  peculiarity  of  Cinda's  was  to  examine  every  new 
purchase  of  mine,  and  ask  the  price,  and  sometimes  the  orna 
ments  of  my  visitors  did  not  escape  this  ordeal.  I  was  getting 
somewhat  wearied  with  these  oddities,  notwithstanding  her  skill 
in  washing,  hanging  on  pots  and  kettles,  and  all  the  drudgery 
of  her  calling,  when  one  evening  a  few  ladies  visited  me,  and 
Cinda,  after  sufficient  drilling,  undertook  to  hand  tea,  solemnly 
promising  me  not  to  address  them.  As  she  passed  from  one  to 
another,  I  felt  a  little  anxiety  at  the  look  of  scrutiny  she  cast, 
from  the  head  downward,  on  every  individual.  Her  appear 
ance  began  to  attract  the  attention  of  my  friends,  but  she  pre 
served  silence,  until,  at  the  close  of  the  service,  a  very  sweet- 
looking  girl  bent  her  blue  eye  upon  Cinda  with  a  smile.  The 
temptation  was  irresistible.  She  had  an  empty  tray  in  her 
hand,  and  lowering  it  suddenly,  said,  "  I  guess,  miss,  them  'ere 
beads  of  your'n  cost  considerable."  The  younger  ladies  thrust 
their  pocket-handkerchiefs  into  their  mouths,  and  the  elder  ones 


330  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

stared,  while  Cinda,  catching  my  eye,  and  perceiving  a  frown, 
cried  out,  "  Lud,  Miss  Packard,  if  I  ain't  spoke  in  the  party ;" 
and  then,  with  a  look  of  greater  horror,  "  Lud.  lud,  I've  spoke 
agin  ! "  then  catching  up  the  tray,  she  retreated  in  confusion. 

It  was  impossible  for  the  most  rigid  muscles  to  refrain  from 
laughter.  The  shouts  reached  poor  Cinda's  ears  in  her  culinary 
domain,  and  it  required  all  the  inducements  I  could  urge  to  pre 
vail  on  her  to  carry  the  tray  again. 

Curiosity,  which  seemed  to  be  her  master-passion,  prompted 
her  to  try  on  the  garments  of  others.  A  French  lady  from  St. 
Domingo,  for  whom  Edward  was  employed  in  a  law-suit,  came 
to  pass  a  few  days  with  me.  Her  dress  was  fashionable  in  the 
extreme.  It  was  Cinda's  province  to  arrange  the  bed-rooms 
while  we  breakfasted.  Mam'selle  Ligne  had  occasion  to  leave 
the  table  one  morning  in  quest  of  her  handkerchief,  and  her 
light  step  was  unperceived  by  Cinda,  who  stood  before  the 
glass.  She  had  placed  on  her  carroty  locks  Mam'selle  Ligne's 
beautiful  evening  cap.  and  thrown  a  slight  scarf  over  her  shoul 
ders  ;  and  there  she  stood  with  an  air  of  the  most  complacent 
satisfaction,  gazing  at  her  own  charms.  The  joke  was  too  good 
to  be  lost.  Mam'selle  tripped  down,  and  asking  Edward  and 
myself  to  follow,  we  all  went  up  softly,  ignorant  of  what  we 
were  to  behold. 

Human  gravity  could  not  hold  out  at  such  a  spectacle.  Ed 
ward  gave  one  of  those  laughs  through  his  nose  that  always 
sound  louder  than  a  natural  one,  and  poor  Cinda  started  in  dis 
may  at  beholding  us.  She  took  off  the  scarf  in  her  hurry,  but 
forgot  the  cap,  which  was  of  very  light  material,  and  began 
making  up  the  bed  with  great  zeal. 

Just  at  this  crisis  the  butcher  knocked  at  the  outer  door,  and 
Cinda,  glad  to  escape,  raced  down,  cap  and  all,  to  receive  him, 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  33*7 

"  Holla,  Cinda,"  said  he,  "  are  you  setting  that  'ere  cap  at  me  ?" 
This  was  too  much  for  Cinda's  nerves.  She  caught  up  the  leg 
of  lamb  he  had  extended  to  her,  and  running  into  the  kitchen, 
hid  her  blushes  in  her  check  apron. 

15 


CHAPTER  V. 

LUCY   COOLEDGE. 

Servitude  is  honor,  not 
Disgrace,  when  falling  fortunes  make  it  needful. 

GOETHK.     Herman  and  Dorothea. 

CINDA  blundered  through  ten  months  in  my  service,  some 
times  fretting  and  sometimes  amusing  me  with  her  oddities,  be 
fore  her  curiosity  and  love  of  change  induced  her  to  leave  me. 
At  length,  with  some  little  emotion,  she  announced  her  inten 
tion  of  removing. 

"  I  know,  Miss  Packard,"  said  she,  "  that  you'll  miss  me  more 
than  enough ;  such  a  bird  is  not  to  be  caught  on  every  bough. 
'Tisn't  everybody  that  has  my  knack  at  thrashing  about  among 
the  pots  and  kettles.  I'm  not  the  person  that  holds  a  frying- 
pan  with  white  gloves  on.  But  I've  a  notion  to  see  a  little 
more  of  the  world.  Miss  Bachelor  is  going  out  to  Roxbury  to 
live,  and  I'm  to  try  how  she  suits  me  a  spell.  Howsomever,  as 
I  don't  want  to  leave  you  without  nobody,  Mr.  Tucker,  the 
batcher,  says  one  Lucy  Coolcdge  is  in  petikelar  want  of  a  siti- 
ration,  being  as  how  old  Miss  Amory  died  two  weeks  ago.  and 
ain't  left  her  no  provision." 

On  the  following  morning  I  had  a  conversation  with  Mr. 
Tucker  about  Lucy  Cooledge.  The  narration  interested  me, 
though  I  drew  the  inference  that  she  would  not  be  as  dexterous 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE.  339 

in  "  thrashing  about  among  the  pots  and  kettles"  as  her  prede 
cessor.  She  had  been  adopted  in  orphan-infancy  by  Mrs. 
Amory,  and  educated  as  well  as  her  slender  means  would  per 
mit.  The  tendency  of  her  teaching,  it  appeared,  was  to  form  a 
religious  character,  and  cultivate  great  original  sensibility  in  her 
young  charge.  For  two  years,  Mrs.  Amory  had  been  lingering 
with  a  chronic  affection,  and  left  Lucy,  at  the  age  of  seventeen, 
without  a  shelter,  except  from  the  charity  of  neighbors. 

"  It  was  a  crying  sight,"  said  Mr.  Tucker,  "  to  see  the  poor 
thing  the  day  Mrs.  Amory  died,  looking  around  so  piteous,  as 
much  as  to  say,  '  I  have  nothing  left  now  !'  She  sat  as  still  as 
could  be,  for  you  know  there  are  folks  enough  always  busy  at 
layings-out,  and  just  watched  what  they  did  in  a  wistful  kind 
of  a  way.  I  made  a  shift  to  get  a  neighbor  to  ride  around  with 
the  meats  for  me,  first  picking  out  a  real  tender  bit  of  mutton 
for  some  broth  for  Miss  Lucy ;  and  made  as  good  a  bargain  as  I 
could  about  the  coffin.  I  happened  in  again  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  burying,  and  I  was  scared  to  see  her  so  quiet.  When 
her  name  was  called  out  to  walk  with  Deacon  Hodges  as  chief 
mourner,  she  just  went  straight  forward,  without  putting  hei 
handkerchief  to  her  eyes,  and  didn't  seem  to  care  to  lean  on  his 
arm,  even.  She  walked  right  on  to  the  grave,  and  gave  a  look 
as  "if  she  could  not  look  far  enough,  nor  long  enough,  and  then 
came  back — but  no  crying,  not  a  drop.  She  went  into  the  sit 
ting-room,  where  the  chairs  still  stood  thick  and  close,  and  sat 
down,  and  there  wasn't  one  of  us  that  know'd  what  to  say. 
You  know,  ma'am,  if  she  had  only  took  on,  we  could  have  com 
forted  her.  At  last  Deacon  Hodges'  wife  went  to  take  off  hei 
bonnet,  seeing  she  didn't  move,  and  took  hold  of  her  hand. 
'  My  gracious,  Lucy,'  says  she, '  your  hand  is  like  ice ;'  and  so 
it  was,  though  it  was  a  warm  day,  and  her  cheeks  were  like  ice 
too ;  and  says  she,  with  a  kind  of  shiver,  '•  My  heart  is  ice.' 


340  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

They  fell  to  rubbing  her  hands,  and  gave  her  some  wine  to 
drink,  and  in  a  half  an  hour  or  thereabouts,  she  fetched  a  sigh, 
and  large  tears  rolled  down  her  cheeks ;  and  them  as  stood  by 
wiped  them  off,  for  she  seemed  not  to  know  that  she  was  a  cry 
ing.  She  has  come  to  now  pretty  much,  but  has  an  ugly  cough, 
and  I  don't  like  the  look  of  her  eyes.  Mrs.  Amory  taught  her 
all  kinds  of  housework,  and  I've  a  notion,  if  she  was  in  a  reg'lar 
family,  she  would  be  quite  pert  again.  A  man,  you  see,  Miss 
Packard,"  continued  Mr.  Tucker,  clearing  his  throat,  "can 
worry  through  these  things,  and  make  a  shift  for  a  living ;  but 
it's  hard  for  young  women  to  push  on  through  thick  and  thin." 

I  should  have  been  giad  to  assist  Lucy  in  a  pecuniary  way, 
but  to  a  character  like  hers  independence  was  the  better  charity  ; 
and  as  Cinda  had  fixed  on  the  day  for  quitting  me,  Mr.  Tucker 
promised  to  engage  a  seat  in  the  Newton  stage  for  her  to  Bos 
ton. 

The  stage  arrived  about  ten  o'clock  on  the  day  appointed, 
and  Lucy  was  the  only  passenger.  It  was  a  great  unwieldy 
vehicle,  without  glasses,  the  leathern  curtains  flapping  all  around, 
the  worn  cushions  as  slippery  as  glass,  and  so  little  spring  in  its 
construction,  that  Lucy's  slight  figure  was  thrown  from  side  to 
side  as  the  horses,  for  city  display,  whisked  up  to  the  door. 

She  was  dressed  in  simple  mourning.  •  There  was  no  affecta 
tion  of  better  days  about  her ;  she  entered  the  kitchen  as  the 
scene  of  her  duties  with  quiet  gravity,  and  went  through  her 
work  with  precision  and  fidelity,  and  only  on  Sunday  evenings 
allowed  herself  the  luxury  of  reading. 

Servants'  apartments,  in  New-England  are  always  in  the 
house  with  the  family  ;  Lucy's  bed-room  was  near  mine,  and 
every  night  before  she  retired,  for  three  months,  we  heard  her 
sweet  voice  in  an  evening  hymn.  Gradually,  however,  from 
five  or  six  verses  she  diminished  to  one,  until  at  last  no  music 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  341 

was  heard ;  but  a  hoarse,  deep  cough  broke  in  even  on  my 
midnight  slumbers. 

Still  she  moved  on  in  her  daily  duties,  though  I  could  not 
but  regard  with  anxiety  the  color  that  lit  her  cheek  at  evening, 
and  made  her  intellectual  face  even  beautiful.  I  gradually 
lightened  her  heavier  employments,  and  gave  her  sewing  in  the 
parlor,  for  Polly  had  by  this  time  become  familiar  with  my  ar 
rangements,  and  with  occasional  assistance  was  strong  enough  to 
engage  in  carrying  them  out. 

But  Lucy  drooped  daily,  struggling  on  ;  I  was  often  obliged 
to  take  her  work  from  her  forcibly,  so  conscientious  was  she.  I 
sent  for  a  physician.  She  met  him  with  a  gentle  smile.  After 
parting  with  her,  he  said  to 'me,  "There  has  been  some  heart- 
sickness  in  this  case,  I  suspect. — There  is  a  fine  organization  in 
some  systems,  tending  to  early  decay,  and  yielding  alike  to 
mental  and  bodily  pressure  ;  and  hers  is  of  that  stamp.  The 
case  is  a  call  on  your  charity,  and  I  will  cheerfully  co-operate 
with  you." 

When  I  returned  to  the  parlor  Lucy  had  laid  her  sewing  on 
her  lap,  and  sat  with  her  hands  folded,  as  in  reverie. 

"  I  see,  by  your  countenance,  Mrs.  Packard,"  said  she,  "  what 
Dr.  Webster  thinks  of  my  case,  and  I  am  not  very  sorry.  I 
am  only  sorry  because  I  shall  be  a  source  of  care  and  anxiety, 
in  such  a  scene  of  quiet  happiness  as  your  house  always  presents. 

';  To  me,  dear  madam,"  continued  she,  after  a  pause,  turning 
her  large  dark  eyes  upwards,  "  to  me,  to  die  is  gain." 

I  had  been  educated  religiously,  attended  church  regularly, 
learned  appropriate  catechisms  and  hymns,  and  found  in  the  ex 
ample  of  my  dear  mother  the  best  of  all  instruction  ;  but  I  had 
never  suffered,  never  seen  death  in  any  form,  and  my  religion 
was  the  overflowing  of  gratitude,  not  the  want  of  poor  humanity. 
I  could  not  realize  the  force  of  Lucy's  expression.  To  be  wil- 


342  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

ling  to  leave  this  bright  world,  so  full  of  the  blossoms  of  hope 
and  love,  to  quit  the  pure  air,  and  the  bright  skies,  and  be  the 
mouldering  tenant  of  the  solitary  tomb — how  could  it  be  gain  ? 
I  looked  at  her  thin  pale  cheek  inquiringly,  and  could  not  re 
strain  my  tears. 

Lucy  smiled  sadly — "  Life  appears,"  said  she,  "  very  differ 
ently  to  one  who,  like  you,  enjoys  the  sympathy  of  friends,  of 
such  friends  too  !  I  am  now  only  a  weed  on  the  stream  of  time. 
When  I  pass  into  the  ocean  of  eternity,  who  knows  but  that  I 
may  be  attached  to  something  bright  and  beautiful  too  ?" 

From  that  moment,  that  little  moment  of  heart  and  sensi 
bility,  my  relations  with  Lucy  assumed  a  different  aspect.  I 
drew  a  chair  near  her — "  Lucy,"  I  said,  cheerfully,  "  /  will  be 
the  beautiful  thing  to  which  you  shall  be  attached  in  this  world j 
so  do  not  talk  of  another,  dear."  I  was  checked  by  the  pressure 
of  her  thin  hand,  where  even  labor  had  not  been  able  to  shade 
the  blue  veins,  so  light  was  their  covering. 

From  the  moment  that  this  delicate  chain  of  sympathy  was 
thrown  over  our  minds,  there  was  a  quiet  but  distinct  course 
of  action  between  us.  My  part  was  to  strengthen  and  animate 
her  sinking  frame.  I  brought  her  fresh  flowers,  new  books, 
kind  friends,  and  little  luxuries  that  cool  the  feverish  lip  ;  but 
Lucy  had  a  higher  task  to  perform.  It  was,  to  direct  my 
thoughts  to  a  feeling  of  the  value  and  necessity  of  Christianity  ; 
to  teach  me  to  subdue  the  idolatry  of  my  affections,  and  give 
them  a  spiritual  bias. 

She  spoke  of  Edward  as  a  "  being  of  soul,  a  candidate  for 
immortality." — "  He  is  too  beautiful  for  the  grave,  Lucy,"  said 
I ;  "  I  can  never,  never  let  him  die. — I  can  go  myself,  if  God 
calls  me,  but  I  cannot  spare  him  ;  that  manly  form,  those  high 
and  generous  feelings,  that  warm,  warm  heart, — oh,  they  are  my 
life.  Talk  to  me  of  anything  but  the  death  of  Edward  !" 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER,.  343 

Still  she  gently  recurred  to  high  and  spiritual  topics,  and  led 
my  thoughts  at  times  beyond  earthly  affections.  She  marked 
passages  in  the  Bible  of  the.  most  attractive  character  for  me 
to  read  to  her,  and,  when  her  cough  would  allow,  breathed  out 
a  hymn  in  sweet  and  happy  strains,  in  which  I  soon  loved  to 
join.  Time  wore  away,  and  she  revived  a  little  with  reviving 
spring.  She  still  had  strength  to  carry  her  plants  from  win 
dow  to  window  to  catch  the  sunbeams,  and  could  sit  to  watch 
the  twilight  in  its  dying  glory. 

But  soon  she  failed  again,  and  one  night  Edward  and  I  were 
awaked  to  go  to  her.  She  could  but  whisper  to  us  as  we  bent 
over  her,  "  Do  not  love  each  other  too  well.  Pray  with  and 
for  each  other.  Forget  not  that  Christ  lived  and  died  for  you. 
I  shall  expect  you  both,  both — in  Heaven."  And  thus  she  died. 

One  favor  only  had  she  asked  of  us.  It  was  that  she  might 
be  buried  in  the  country  church-yard  of  her  native  town. 

"  I  would  have  overcome  that  little  preference,"  she  once 
said,  "  did  I  not  know  there  is  something  soothing  in  complying 
with  the  wishes  of  the  dying.  How  idle  a  fancy,"  she  continued, 
smiling,  "  to  wish  that  trees  should  wave  and  birds  sing  over 
this  wasted  form  ;  but  nature  has  been  so  lovely  to  me  that  I 
have  a  kind  of  gratitude  to  her,  and  it  is  sweet  to  think  that  I 
shall  repose  among  those  objects  which  God  has  given  me  sensi 
bility  to  enjoy." 

She  was  carried  to  her  favorite  resting-place.  From  that 
period  a  religious  repose  chastened  the  intense  tenderness  of 
our  hearts,  as  we  remembered  Lucy's  character  and  death  ;  and 
when  we  occasionally  left  the  city  to  breathe  the  country  air, 
our  souls  were  refreshed  by  a  visit  to  her  grave. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

JEALOUSY. 

Ever  at  early  dawn,  and  close  of  day, 
Oh!  be  Amanda's  toil  to  thine  allied- 
Labor  shall  lead  me  smiling  by  thy  side, 

So  but  a  smile  of  thine  my  toll  repay. — WIELA.ND. 

MY  next  domestic  trial  was  unconnected  with  household 
cares.  My  "  help"  was  "  the  perfectest  pattern  of  excelling" 
housekeepers,  and  my  affairs  went  on  like  clockwork.  Our 
meals  "came  like  spirits."  No  half-cooked  potatoes  betrayed 
a  cold  and  hard  heart  beneath  a  soft  surface — no  half-picked 
poultry  came  to  the  table  as  if  reluctant  to  resign  the  feathery 
insignia.  The  amalgamation  of  sauces  and  gravies  was  like  the 
intercourse  of  society,  where  the  piquant  is  softened  by  the 
modest,  and  the  feeble  animated  by  the  strong.  My  windows 
were  clear  as  a  good  conscience,  my  brasses  bright  as  ready 
wit,  and  like  Narcissus  in  the  stream,  I  half  fell  in  love  with 
myself  in  the  polished  mahogany. 

From  whence  then  came  the  cloud  to  shade  this  happy  pic 
ture  ?  I  was  jealous.  Not  of  women,  for  my  husband  not 
only  professed  to  love  me,  but  treated  me  with  marked  atten 
tion  in  the  society  of  others ;  and  often  when  I  saw  married 
men  display  their  gallantry  to  any  but  their  wives,  I  felt  proud 
of  those  preferring  attentions,  which  Edward  directly,  but  with 
out  display,  tendered  me.  My  jealousy,  and  I  write  it  with 
half  a  blush,  was  of  books. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE.  345 

Edward  was  becoming  an  ambitious  lawyer.  His  singleness 
of  character  and  clearness  of  intellect  gained  him  unexpected 
friends,  and  the  strongest  efforts  of  his  mind  were  directed  to 
eminence  in  his  profession.  Gradually,  book  by  book  was 
brought  from  the  office.  Blackstone  was  on  one  window-seat, 
Coke  upon  Littleton  on  another,  and  Chitty's  Pleadings  lum 
bered  the  well-dusted  mantelpiece.  An  instinctive  regard  and 
respect  for  my  feelings  prevented  his  passing  his  evenings 
abroad ;  but  he  read  and  read,  while  I  silently  pursued  my 
sewing,  until  at  last  the  heavy  whitish  looking  volumes  were 
laid  on  the  breakfast  or  tea-table,  beside  the  cup  of  coffee, 
which  was  often  allowed  to  cool  before  it  was  tasted.  He  no 
longer  asked  me  for  a  song  at  evening  ;  and  when  I  found  my 
voice  unheard  by  him,  I  shut  the  harpsichord  in  disgust.  Our 
sunset  walk  was  often  forgotten  ;  and  when  I  sometimes  said, 
"  Come,  Edward,  I  am  ready  ;"  he  answered,  "  Yes,  dear,  di 
rectly — just  let  me  finish  this  paragraph."  The  paragraph 
might  be  finished,  but  I,  sitting  in  silence,  felt  a  languor  steal 
over  me  ;  and  when  in  a  half-hour  he  closed  his  book,  and  said 
briefly,  "  What — are  you  waiting  ?  Let  us  go,"  the  walk 
seemed  heavy,  and  the  twilight  sad.  Perhaps,  had  I  rallied 
him,  he  might  have  perceived  that  he  was  trying  a  dangerous, 
though  unintentional  experiment  with  a  devoted  heart ;  or  had 
I  seriously  opened  my  feelings,  he  would  probably  have  under 
stood  them  ,*  but  I  was  ashamed,  and  tried  to  think  that  /  was 
unreasonable,  and  he  in  the  performance  of  his  duty.  I  re 
membered  that  it  was  for  my  subsistence  he  toiled,  and  lingered 
through  even  the  midnight  hour. 

But  with  a  feeling  of  unconquerable  diffidence  in  the  expres 
sion  of  my  thoughts,  I  grew  reserved.  My  step  was  slow  and 
careful,  or  quick  and  agitated,  and  I  sometimes  said  cutting 

15* 


346  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

things  in  the  impatience  of  my  spirit.  He  was  all  truth  and 
openness,  and  occasionally  looked  perplexed  at  my  manner. 

"  I  should  think  you  were  unhappy,"  said  he  one  day  to  me, 
after  he  had  been  studying  a  horrid-looking,  parchment-covered 
book,  at  the  breakfast-table, ':  if  I  did  not  see  everything  around 
you  appearing  so  cheerful  and  comfortable.  There  never  was 
such  a  sweet  home  as  ours." 

My  eyes  filled  with  tears,  but  I  hid  them,  and  was  silent. 

"  Clarissa,"  said  he,  ':  you  look  thin,  and  now  I  think  of  it  I 
am  afraid  your  appetite  is  riot  good.  Those  nice  cakes,  did  you 
eat  some  this  morning  ?" 

"  We  had  toast  for  breakfast,"  I  replied  ;  before  I  could  say 
more,  he  was  absorbed  in  his  book. 

I  took  my  sewing,  that  I  might  be  with  him  the  half-hour  be 
fore  he  went  out.  Just  at  this  period  a  little  boy  who  lived  op 
posite,  and  who  was  in  the  habit  of  visiting  us  frequently,  came 
in,  and  began  his  customary  prattle. 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Packard,"  said  little  John,  running  to  him,  "  let 
me  see  that  book." 

"  What  for  ?"  said  my  husband,  keeping  his  finger  on  a  para 
graph. 

"  Why.  because,"  said  the  rogue,  '•  aunt  Clara  (the  name  he 
always  gave  me),  aunt  Clara  got  angry  with  it  yesterday." 

"  Angry,  my  boy  ;  how  so  ?"  said  he. 

"  Why,  sir,  after  you  had  done  sipping  your  coffee,  with  the 
big  book  by  your  plate,  and  took  your  hat  and  walked  out  like 
a  judge,  she  went  to  gather  the  cups  to  wash,  and  when  she 
came  to  the  big  white  book  by  your  cup  she  dashed  it  down 
on  a  chair,  and  said,  '  I  hate  you  !'  and  looked  as  if  she  was  go 
ing  to  cry." 

Edward  leaned  his  head  a  moment  over  the  chair  on  which 
he  sat,  and  mused.  I  sewed  as  if  life  hung  on  my  needle. 


A  NEW  ENGLAND  BRIDE  AND  HOUSEKEEPER.      347 

"  Clarissa,"  he  said,  at  length,  with  a  sweet,  earnest  voice  and 
look,  taking  my  hands  in  his,  "  I  know  now  what  is  the  matter 
with  you.  I  have  been  to  blame,  dearest,  in  not  consulting 
more  affectionately  the  feelings  of  my  own  wife.  It  was  not 
enough,  it  ought  not  to  be  enough  for  me,  to  have  given  you 
comforts  and  luxuries  ;  you  require  sympathy.  You  have  been 
struggling  with  the  wants  of  your  heart.  I  wish  I  had  under 
stood  them  before.  As  for  this  book,"  said  he,  playfully,  "  I 
cannot  '  hate  it,'  since  it  has  given  me  such  a  revelation  of  my 
duty." 

From  that  period  his  deportment  at  home  had  a  perpetual 
view  to  my  happiness  and  improvement.  He  brought  books  to 
read  to  me,  calculated  to  interest  while  they  elevated  my  lit 
erary  taste.  He  referred  to  me  for  opinions,  and  by  sounding 
the  depth  and  power  of  my  intellect,  found,  that  under  his 
guidance  there  were  occasions  when  even  my  advice  might  avail 
him.  When  a  case  occurred  which  obliged  him  to  study  at 
home,  he  detailed  it  in  simple  terms  to  me,  told  me  the  course 
he  should  pursue,  and  its  probable  results  ;  while,  satisfied  and 
happy,  I  would  sit  by  his  side  like  Klopstock's  Meta,  "  looking 
so  still  in  his  sweet  face."  Understanding  his  conduct  and  feel 
ings,  I  began  to  be  ambitious  for  him.  Step  by  step  he  mounted 
the  ladder  of  fame.  I  saw  all  eyes  gazing  on  him  with  delight, 
heard  every  lip  echoing  applause  ;  and  those  sights  and  sounds 
were  doubly  dear  to  me,  for  I  knew  every  spring  that  moved 
his  noble  heart,  and  that  his  thoughts  were  mine  before  they 
were  the  world's.  r 


CHAPTER   VII. 

GREASE. 

Chattels  which,  yesterday,  good  housewifery 
Had  rang'd,  in  cleanly  and  delightful  order, 
Lay  now  disjointed,  broken,  rent. — GOETHK. 

IN  the  subject  I  am  about  to  introduce,  I  am  confident  of 
the  sympathy  of  housekeepers. — The  theme  is  grease,  which,  if 
I  may  be  allowed  a  poor  pun,  has  produced  as  many  domestic 
disturbances  in  modern,  as  it  did  political  in  ancient  times. 
Who  can  tell  the  amount  of  temper  that  has  been  roused  by 
this  evil,  from  the  single  drop  of  lamp-oil  on  the  finger,  to 
which  the  olfactory  sense,  though  driven  back,  returns  with 
painful  tenacity,  to  the  mass  which,  sinking  in  your  white  floor, 
looks  fresher,  like  the  stain  on  Blue  Beard's  key,  for  many  a 
scouring  ? 

I  hope  I  may  be  excused  here  for  a  homely  piece  of  advice, 
which  is,  that  wives  should  not  only  keep  the  lamps  of  their 
souls  trimmed  and  burning,  but  attend  to  that  department  in 
their  household  economy.  If  they  do  not,  their  husbands  may 
as  well  sit  down  to  sup  with  the  ladies  of  Queen  Charlotte's 
Sound,  whom  Captain  Cook  describes  as  not  only  "  drinking 
the  oil  from  his  lamps,  but  eating  the  cotton  wick." 

In  return  for  the  various  attentions  we  had  received,  Edward 
and  myself  sent  out  invitations  for  an  evening  party.  We  had 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE.  ."40 

not  the  facilities  for  lighting  our  rooms  which  make  it  so  little 
trouble  now,  by  sending  for  a  professor  in  the  art,  to  produce  a 
blaze  that  shall  cast  no  shadow ;  but  we  treated  ourselves  to 
an  astral  lamp,  they  having  been  newly  brought  to  this  country. 
Being  somewhat  ambitious  of  intellectual  display,  and  the  time 
beginning  to  pass  away  when  ladies  did  not  feel  themselves 
pinned  to  the  same  seat  for  three  hours,  we  managed,  by  buying 
and  borrowing,  to  collect  some  amusing  novelties  ;  among  them 
was  a  magnifying  glass,  with  splendid  Italian  views.  These 
were  arranged  on  the  sofa  table,  illuminated  by  our  new  lamp, 
which  attracted  universal  admiration.  The  Italian  views  be 
came  the  chief  subject  of  attention,  but  alas !  as  our  guests 
crowded  around  the  table  it  was  suddenly  overthrown,  and  the 
lamp  shattered  to  pieces.  Satin  slippers  and  gentlemen's 
pumps  received  the  indiscriminate  shower  of  oil,  and  the  beau 
tiful  engravings  coming  in  for  a  share,  a  young  beau,  who  never 
lost  a  pun,  even  in  calamity,  whispered  to  me  that  they  were 
"  oil  paintings." 

A  general  shock  was  given  to  our  before  complacent  group ; 
first  were  circulated  whispered  complaints  and  commiseration, 
then  in  a  louder  tone  followed  details  of  similar  misfortunes, 
and  recipes  for  extracting  them. 

I  contrived  to  affect  great  indifference,  and  Edward  got  up 
his  best  jokes,  but  after  a  struggle  at  general  sociability  the 
company  retired,  and  left  us,  at  an  earlier  period  than  we  ex 
pected,  gazing  on  the  wreck. 

It  is  eaiey  to  preserve  a  sweet  smile  in  the  presence  of  fifty 
people,  but  the  test  of  good  nature  follows  in  a  tete-a-tete. 

"  What  an  awkward  wretch  that  Mason  is,"  said  Edward. 
"  I  wish  people  would  not  go  into  society  until  they  are  civil 
ized  !" 

"  I  am  surprised  at  your  blaming  Mr.  Mason,"  said  I.     "  It 


350  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

was  Miss  Otis  who  knocked  over  the  table — that  girl  thinks  she 
must  be  first  in  everything." 

"  Mrs.  Packard,  I  am  confident  that  it  was  Mr.  Mason,"  re 
turned  Edward. 

"  Mr.  Packard."  replied  I,  "  I  saw  Miss  Otis  do  it  with  my 
own  eyes." 

"  "Women  are  always  obstinate,"  said  he,  turning  away. 

"  And  men  are  always  domineering,"  I  answered,  in  the  same 
tone. 

There  ended  our  first  party,  and  began  our  first  quarrel ;  but 
it  seemed  so  odd,  that  turning  round,  our  eyes  met,  and  we  burst 
out  into  unaffected  laughter. 

I  will  not  enter  into  a  detail  of  similar  misfortunes.  Who 
has  not,  after  long  deliberation,  purchased  a  set  of  expensive 
lamps,  only  to  suffocate  himself  or  his  friends  with  smoke? 
Who  has  not  heard  his  glass  shades  pop  one  after  another,  with 
a  report  as  harassing  as  the  small  arms  of  an  enemy?  Who 
has  not  welcomed  "  the  tall  mould  candle  straight  and  round," 
while  the  costly  lamp,  that  gave  for  five  minutes  a  gleam  of 

light,  is 

"  Wisely  kept  for  show." 

But  I  have  other  themes  of  varied  trouble  to  relate.  One 
commencement  day  a  large  party  assembled  to  dine  with  us, 
after  the  college  exercises.  Edward  had  presented  me  with  a 
new  silk  dress.  It  was  a  rare  and  important  addition  to  my 
wardrobe,  and  I  made  my  toilet  with  many  resolutions  to  be 
careful  of  it.  As  I  sat  at  the  table,  with  the  consciousness  of 
a  well-ordered  dinner  and  an  appropriate  dress,  whose  value  to 
me  was  doubly  enhanced  by  its  being  Edward's  choice,  one  of 
the  waiters,  with  a  zeal  worthy  of  a  better  cause,  jostled  by 
another,  who  was  reaching  above  my  shoulder  to  deposit  a 
gravy-boat,  and  knocked  it  over.  I  felt  the  warm  stream  trickle 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BltlDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  351 

through  my  lace  tippet,  and  saw  it  pour  into  my  lap.  Selon  la 
regie,  I  was  obliged  either  not  to  notice  or  make  a  jest  of  it. 
I  had  the  resolution  not  to  look  at  the  servant  (how  often  have 
I  seen  looks  speak  more  than  words !)  and  turning  quietly  to 
my  left-hand  neighbor,  I  said,  "Pray,  sir,  excuse  my  being 
helped  first." 

A  short  period  only  elapsed  before  Edward  was  called  upon 
to  sympathize  with  me  in  a  similar  experience.  Being  invited 
to  a  ceremonious  party,  he  mounted  a  new  coat.  I  could  per 
ceive  considerable  complacency  in  his  manner  of  pulling  down 
the  waist  and  turning  out  the  collar.  He  was  in  excellent  spir 
its  through  the  evening,  and  on  his  return  said,  laughing, 

"  Either  I  or  my  new  coat  was  a  great  favorite  this  evening, 
for  my  friends  certainly  regarded  me  with  uncommon  interest." 

"  And  well  they  might  !"  I  exclaimed,  in  alarm,  on  looking  at 
him,  "  for  you  have  half  of  one  of  Mrs.  Winthrop's  candles 
streaming  down  from  your  collar  to  your  elbow." 

Poor  Edward  was  thrown  all  aback.  "  Hang  it,"  said  he, 
quite  off  his  guard,  "  I  can  interpret  their  looks  now.  They 
could  not  quite  resolve  to  tell  me  what  a  figure  I  cut,  and  I 
thought  they  were  admiring  my  genteel  person,  while  I  was 
strutting  about  with  the  sign  of  a  tallow-chandler  on  my  shoul 
aer." 

Speaking  of  a  new  coat  reminds  me  of  an  anecdote  of  Mr. 
Shaw,  a  literary  friend  of  ours.  In  the  pride  of  his  heart  he 
too  put  on  a  coat  fresh  from  the  tailor's,  to  attend  a  party,  and 
while  bowing  to  the  ladies,  an  acquaintance  tapping  him  on  the 
shoulder  said,  "  Shaw,  your  coat  was  very  reasonable,"  pointing 
at  the  same  time  to  the  tailor's  mark,  which  was  pinned  con 
spicuously  on  the  skirt. 

When  albums  were  first  in  vogue,  a  choice  one  was  sent  us 
for  our  contributions.  I  have  always  loved  albums,  much  as 


352  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

they  have  been  ridiculed.  They  seem  to  me  the  leading-strings 
of  literature,  and  it  interests  me  to  see  the  ardor  of  a  young 
lady,  when,  opening  the  gilt  leaves,  she  finds  there  sentiments 
dedicated  to  her  alone.  "Woe  to  him  who  shall  dare  to  trace 
impure  characters  on  those  unsullied  leaves  !  Indeed,  so  sa 
cred  are  they,  that  though  folly  often  intrudes  upon  them,  vice 
rarely  profanes  them. 

The  album  sent  us  was  elegantly  bound,  and  enriched  by  con 
tributions  from  native  poets.  Edward  and  I  communicated  our 
mite  immediately.  It  is  a  good  rule.  The  next  day  I  looked 
at  the  book  to  review  what  I  had  written,  but  what  was  my  dis 
may  at  finding  its  beautiful  pages  discolored  with  lamp  oil. 
Down  it  had  streamed  over  a  sentimental  effusion  of  Wilde  ; 
Percival's  wing  was  clogged,  and  even  Bryant's  purity  was 
marred  by  the  contact. 

"I  did  not  think  to  shed  a  tear" 

over  my  silk  frock  or  Edward's  coat,  but  this  was  really  alarm 
ing.  An  album  I  could  purchase,  but  how  restore  the  hand 
writing  of  those  poets  on  which  I  knew  the  enthusiastic  owner 
loved  to  dwell  with  natural  pride  ?  I  summoned  Becky  Rand, 
" my  woman  in  tlie  kitchen"  (the  New-England  circumlocution 
for  cook). 

She  confessed  that  after  I  had  retired  she  thought  it  would 
do  no  harm  to  read  a  little,  and  being  "  dozy,"  she  let  the  kitchen 
lamp  fall  on  the  book  and  "  il'd"  it. 

I  suspected  as  much  from  Becky's  literary  taste.     I  had 
often  observed,  a  volume  of  "  Zimmerman  on  Solitude,"  covered 
with  blue  homespun,  lying  on  the  dresser,  and  once,  being  in1* 
want  of  a  skewer,  detected  one  put  for  a  mark  at  the  following 
anecdote. 

"  The  celebrated  Armelle,  who  died  in  the  convent  of  Vannes, 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  353 

was  placed  by  her  parents  who  were  villagers,  as  a  menial  ser 
vant  in  the  house  of  a  neighboring  gentleman,  with  whom  she 
lived  five-and-thirty  years  (just  Becky's  age).  During  this 
time  his  groom,  finding  the  kitchen-door  fastened,  had  the 
curiosity  to  peep  through  the  keyhole,  where  he  discovered  the 
pious  maid  in  a  paroxysm  of  divine  ecstacy  spitting  a  fowl. 
The  youth  was  so  much  affected  by  this  religious  fervor,  that 
he  devoted  himself  to  a  convent." 

Becky  was  very  sentimental,  and  usually  had  an  interjectional 
remark  whenever  I  entered  the  kitchen. 

"  Oh,  ma'am."  said  she  to  me  one  day,  pointing  to  a  bean 
she  had  trained  over  her  kitchen  window,  "  how  can  the  human 
natur's  heart  help  for  to  see  how  miraculous  beans  is  !" 

I  did  not  ridicule  Becky's  sentimentalities,  but  found  pleasure 
in  moralizing  over  the  progress  of  her  bean  vine,  and  even  kept 
my  countenance  when,  the  morning  after  a  frost,  she  assumed  a 
pensive  attitude,  and  said,  "  Ah,  Miss  Packard,  so  frail  is  the 
human  natur's  life  of  a  bean  !" 

I  heard,  however,  a  conversation  between  herself  and  Polly, 
as  we  were  preparing  for  a  guest  at  dinner,  that  completely  ex 
cited  my  risibility. 

"  Who  is  coming  here  to  day  ?"  said  Polly. 

"  A  tutor  from  Cambridge,"  answered  Becky. 

"  What  is  a  tutor  ?"  asked  Polly. 

"  Mercy!  child,  don't  you  know?"  said  Becky,  "why,  a  per 
son  that  tutes  !" 

Becky's  sentimentalism  was  not  confined  to  her  bean  vine. 
She  rarely  took  up  the  gridiron  without  a  sigh  over  the  re 
mains  of  the  beef  and  poultry,  and  one  would  think  from  her 
looks  she  was  about  to  bear  the  martyrdom  of  St.  Lawrence  on 
its  well-scraped  parallels. 

But  the  place  where  her  mind  was  most  under  my  inspection 


354  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE. 

was  the  ironing-table,  where,  as  Mr.  Packard's  shirts  and  cravats 
were  my  first  care,  I  felt  a  feminine  pride  in  smoothing  their 
snowy  texture. 

Many  were  the  experiences  detailed  by  Becky  as  we  gave  the 
sheets  a  finishing  snap  in  folding,  or  wielded  our  irons  with  the 
skill  of  artists. 

And  when  on  Tuesday  evening  every  article  was  translated 
to  its  appropriate  drawer,  and  Becky  sat  by  the  kitchen  fire,  at 
her  pine  table,  with  her  mending^  I  have  often  heard  her  say, 

"  Polly,  child,  always  regulate  your  concerns  in  the  day,  and 
then  when  you  come  to  set  by  your  taper  (looking  at  the  small 
tallow  candle),  you  can  have  time  to  meditate  on  the  human 
natur's  heart." 

Alas,  for  romance  !  Becky  married  my  butcher,  and  became 
Mrs.  Ichabod  Whittemore  ! 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

THE    FIRST-BORN. 

As  mine  own  shadow  was  this  child  to  me, 
A  second  self,  far  dearer,  and  more  fair. 

SHELLEY. 

THERE  can  be  but  few  domestic  trials,  comparatively  speak 
ing,  without  children.  In  their  absence,  that  combination  of 
articles  expressively  designated  clutter,  seldom  alarms  the  eagle- 
eyed  housewife.  From  day  to  day,  from  week  to  week,  from 
year  to  year,  may  she  descend  to  the  breakfast  table  with  her 
smooth  morning  dress,  her  well-combed  hair,  and  her  face  un- 
wrinkled  by  nursing  vigils. 

Such  was  my  happy  predicament  until  Master  Frederick 
Packard  entered  on  the  before  tranquil  scene,  when  forthwith 
appeared  an  accompanying  train  of  vials,  fennel-seed,  and  pap. 
He  was  blessed  from  the  moment  of  his  birth  with  a  pair  of 
lungs  that  needed  no  Demosthenean  pebbles  to  bring  them  into 
play.  Two  thirds  of  the  time  his  face  was  in  lines  as  thick  as 
the  rivers  on  a  well-drawr  map,  and  his  roaring  brought  kind 
inquiries  from  the  neighbors  "  if  anything  was  the  matter  with 
the  baby  ?"  His  father  nattered  himself  that  he  was  destined 
to  make  a  noise  in  the  world,  and  descanted  long  and  loud  (for 
we  were  obliged  to  speak  at  "  the  top  of  our  voices")  on  the 
kindness  of  Providence  in  permitting  vnfants  to  scream,  since  it 


356  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

was  necessary  to  the  healthy  action  of  the  lungs ;  he  added, 
moreover,  that  all  sensible  children  were  cross,  and  that  his 
mother  had  often  said  he  was  the  most  fretful  child  in  the 
world. 

Polly,  now  thirteen  years  of  age,  succeeded  the  regular  nurse 
in  assisting  me  to  attend  my  little  boy,  and  if  ever  any  one, 
with  the  kindest  attentions,  had  a  knack  at  making  a  child 
scream,  it  was  she,  notwithstanding  my  ivoman  in  the  kitchen 
would  occasionally  put  her  head  into  the  parlor  door  and  call  out, 
"  Polly,  Polly,  why  don't  you  shue*  the  child?"  but  alas  !  Polly's 
sole  ability  lay  in  trotting  and  walking,  walking  and  trotting, 
with  all  the  energy  of  human  muscles  ;  her  last  resource,  and  it 
was  often  effectual,  was  to  sit  on  a  particularly  hard  chair,  and 
rock  backward  and  forward  on  an  uncarpeted  floor.  At  each 
jolt  Master  Frederick's  voice  grew  fainter  and  fainter,  until  at 
length,  overpowered  by  superior  physical  strength,  he  dropped 
asleep,  and  looked  as  if  no  storm  had  ever  hung  over  his  placid 
brow. 

How  beautiful  is  the  sleep  of  infancy,  with  its  breathing  like 
the  uplifting  of  lily  leaves  on  a  summer  wave  !  It  would  be 
sculpture-like,  did  not  the  motion  of  the  lips  betray  a  sweet 
remembrance  of  its  natural  wants, 

"  As  the  shifting  visions  sweep, 
Amid  its  innocent  rest." 

Edward  often  stole  from  his  office  at  the  hour  of  our  infant's 
slumber,  and  we  knelt  together  by  his  cradle,  our  thoughts 
leaping  from  baby-hood  to  manhood,  living  long,  long  years  in 
that  lingering  gaze.  He  always  blessed  us  by  awaking  with  a 
smile.  An  unutterable  sweetness  played  over  his  lips,  and  his 
hands  were  outstretched  in  gentle  joy. 

*  Probably  meaning  hush 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  357 

"  His  hair  is  growing  darker.  He  will  look  like  you, 
Clarissa." 

"  No,  Edward,  his  cradle  shades  it.  See  now,  as  I  turn  it  to 
the  light,  your  own  sunny  brown,  and  Polly  thinks  his  eyes  are 
blue." 

To  this  day  the  point  is  not  settled.  Frederick,  who  is  now 
a  successor  in  his  father's  office,  has  dark  eyes  when  shaded  by 
fatigue  or  sorrow,  but  in  health  and  joy  they  light  up  with  his 
father's  hue. 

Notwithstanding  Mr.  Packard's  arguments  about  expanding 
the  chest,  and  though  he  was  as  brave  as  a  lion,  and,  in  the  old 
uniform  of  "  The  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery,"  white 
broadcloth,  faced  with  red,  with  a  gold-laced  chapeau  bras,  he 

looked  as  though 

"  his  eye 
Could  create  soldiers,  and  make  women  fight," 

yet  was  he  a  mere  coward  when  Frederick  opened  his  infantile 
battery  of  screams ;  and  from  this  weakness  arose  the  uncom 
fortable  habit  of  walking  with  him  at  night.  Even  after  my  hus 
band  became  Judge  Packard,  you  might  have  seen  his  honor  at 
the  dead  of  night,  with  a  half  naked  baby  in  his  arms,  whose 
whims  increased  in  proportion  to  their  indulgence.  For  my 
self,  I  scarcely  knew  whether  to  laugh  or  weep  one  night, 
when,  as  peeping  from  my  comfortable  pillow,  I  saw  the  judge 
dividing  the  remains  of  a  cold  turkey  between  little  Martha, 
my  eldest  daughter,  and  her  brother.  Fred  was  then  four  years 
old. 

When  Frederick  ceased  to  be  fretful,  he  became  mischievous. 
By  a  well-timed  slap,  I  cured  him  of  some  daydawn  experi 
ments  on  me ;  but  his  favorite  plaything  at  that  hour  so  de 
lightful  for  repose  after  a  disturbed  night,  was  his  father's 
nose ;  and  when  with  a  groan  or  remonstrance  he  turned  away, 


358  •  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

the  boy's  scream  became  so  tremendous  that  the  nasal  toy  was 
restored. 

Nothing  is  more  helpless  than  a  kind-hearted  man  with  a 
passionate  child.  Its  very  weakness  is  its  strength,  and 
though  one  finger  of  his  masculine  hand  could  terminate  its  ex 
istence,  yet  the  infant's  feeblest  touch  can  conquer  both  body 
and  mind. 

It  is  not  my  intention  to  theorize  on  the  subject  of  manag 
ing  children  ;  I  am  simply  practical.  When  Frederick  was  a 
week  old,  his  father  brought  home  the  treatises  of  Hamilton, 
West,  Edgeworth.  £c.  on  education.  I  had  previously  seen 
him  poring  over  Rousseau  and  Xenophon.  He  read  them  faith 
fully,  and  discussed  them  eloquently,  yet  not  one  of  these 
writers  could  induce  him  to  deny  Fred  his  nose ;  therefore, 
finding  them  insufficient  to  establish  his  authority,  and  not 
having  much  taste  for  reading,  I  did  not  look  into  these  cele 
brated  works,  and  yet  my  boy  obeyed  my  words,  and  even  my 
looks.  I  found  great  virtue  in  a  rational,  well-managed  rod. 
Scolding  is  every  way  injurious.  It  is  pouring  water  into  a 
sieve ;  your  child  becomes  accustomed  to  threats,  and  the  pas 
sions  of  both  rise  with  the  voice. 

"  How  did  you  contrive  to  be  so  cool,"  said  a  gentleman  to  a 
Quaker,  "when  that  rascally  porter  cheated  you?"  His  reply 
is  a  lesson  to  parents  and  housewives.  "  Friend,  I  long  ago 
obliged  myself  not  to  speak  loud,  and  therefore  I  never  lose  my 
temper." 

I  have  seen  so  many  well-regulated  families  brought  up  un 
der  Solomon's  discipline,  and  sometimes  controlled  by  the  mere 
sight  of  a  switch  hung  over  the  mantelpiece,  that  I  am  tempted 
to  think  he  is  getting  too  much  out  of  fashion,  and  modern  theo 
ries,  with  their  feather  rods,  seem  to  me  like  "  the  crackling  of 
thorns  under  the  pot." 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  359 

My  first  sally  from  my  bedroom  was  to  ride  ;  a  common  cus 
tom  in  New-England.  My  babe  protested  with  all  his  lungs, 
and  well  he  might,  against  the  preparations  of  his  cumbrous 
toilet.  He  instinctively  raised  his  trembling  hands  to  his 
frilled  cap,  and  when  a  smart  blue  satin  hat  was  perched  on  the 
top  of  that,  making  him  by  contrast  look  the  color  of  a  mum 
my,  his  indignation  was  beyond  all  bounds  ;  and  the  flannel 
blanket,  enveloping  the  whole,  scarcely  smothered  his  screams. 
The  motion  of  the  chaise  fortunately  soon  lulled  him  to  sleep, 
and  I  was  enabled  to  enjoy  the  repose  of  nature. 

Every  object  was  as  fresh  as  though  it  had  just  sprung  into 
being  before  my  eyes.  The  beautiful  sloping  hills  of  Brook- 
line,  the  sparkling  fulness  of  Charles  river,  emptying  into  the 
bay,  the  apple  orchards  filling  the  senses  with  gentle  colors  and 
odors,  the  sweet-brier  throwing  out  its  perfume  at  the  very  feet 
of  passengers,  the  barberry  bushes,  with  their  delicate  yellow 
blossoms,  preludes  to  the  scarlet  fruit  of  autumn,  and  even  the 
palace-like  buildings,  placed  at  almost  regular  distances  along 
the  road  from  Cambridge  to  Sweet  Auburn,  seemed  all  made 
for  me.  I  pressed  my  boy  close  to  my  heart,  with  a  gush  of 
gratitude  to  Him  who  had  thus  blessed  me.  The  cares  of  life 
had  not  taken  rough  hold  of  Edward  or  myself,  nor  were  we 
satiated  with  its  pleasures.  There  was  ever  a  fount  of  gayety 
in  our  hearts,  that  threw  its  sprinklings  over  the  deeper  shades 
of  parental  consciousness,  and  gave  that  relish  to  the  ludicrous 
which  is  almost  always  discernible  in  delicate  minds. 

But  rides,  like  all  things  else,  must  end.  Fred  awoke,  and 
began  to  grow  restive  beneath  the  "  bonnet  of  blue."  I  "shued" 
him  as  well  as  my  strength  would  allow,  but  his  clamor  in 
creased.  Every  father  and  mother,  who  have  ridden  through  a 
populous  city  with  a  screaming  child,  will  know  how  the  per 
spiration  stood  on  our  faces  at  this  awful  publicity,  and  how  we 


360  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE. 

imagined  that  every  eye  was  fixed  on  us,  and  every  individual 
condemning  the  breeding  of  Master  Packard. 

I  gave  my  hopeful  baby  into  Polly's  arms  on  our  return,  and 
reconnoitred  my  establishment  below.  A  good-tempered  woman 
was  governing  all  its  various  departments.  Mrs.  Philipson  was 
one  of  those  who  seemed  to  think  the  old  allowance  of  a  "  peck 
of  dirt"  to  a  man  was  too  small,  for  her  practical  allowance  was 
a  bushel. 

In  vain  did  I  seek  for  my  own  reflection  in  the  dim  looking- 
glass  ;  a  kitchen  towel  was  thrown  on  the  sofa ;  Edward,  for 
getful  of  all  my  hints  and  hopes,  "  that  everything  was  in  order 
down  stairs,"  had  suffered  his  slippers,  coat,  books,  &c.  to  ac 
cumulate  with  utter  unconsciousness  of  the  effect ;  no  dusting- 
cloth  had  passed,  like  the  wing  of  a  good  angel,  over  the  furni 
ture,  and  a  waggish  friend  had  written  in  plain  characters  on 
one  of  the  tables,  with  his  finger,  "  Mr.  B 's  compliments." 


CHAPTER  IX. 

INTELLIGENCE     OFFICE. 

Voyons  done,  je  vous  prie  ; 

Meltons  1'originul  anpres  do  la  copie. 

Par  ma  foi,  c'est  vous-meme  ; — 

Jamais  peintre  ne  fit  portrait  si  resseroblant. — RKQNAUD. 

What  charm  can  soothe  her  melancholy, 

What  art  can  wash  her  guilt  away  1— Vicar  of  Wakefield. 

MRS.  PHILIPSON,  the  votary  of  the  Penates  mentioned  in  the 
preceding  chapter,  had  been  obtained  for  me  by  my  mother  at 
the  intelligence-office.  It  often  startles  me  when  I  reflect  what 
unprincipled  wretches  may  be  brought  into  the  very  heart  of 
our  domestic  circles,  and  how  the  pure  minds  of  our  children 
may  be  blighted  in  their  very  unfolding,  by  these  necessar}?-  but 
vicious  instruments. 

Mrs.  Philipson  was  a  chubby  woman  of  forty,  with  a  scarlet 
face  and  scarlet  throat  laid  in  fat  folds.  Her  eyes  were  promi 
nent  and  whitish.  Her  round  elbows  rested  upon  her  hips, 
from  whence  her  short  arms  projected,  and  her  hands  hung  from 
her  wrists  with  an  imbecile  air.  She  spoke  softly,  and  was 
liberal  in  promises.  Polly,  whom  my  readers  may  recollect  as 
the  little  girl  of  our  establishment,  was  necessarily  greatly  un 
der  the  influence  of  the  cook,  particularly  as  she  occupied  the 
same  room.  She  was  an  orphan  from  the  Female  Asylum, 
bound  to  me  until  the  age  of  eighteen.  She  was  so  docile  and 

16 


362  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

innocent,  that  could  I  always  have  sheltered  her  under  my  own 
wing,  she  would  have  been  pure  as  a  bird,  and  might  have 
plumed  her  flight  from  me  to  Heaven ;  but  after  the  birth  of 
Frederick,  new  affections  came  to  me,  and  new  cares  to  her.  I 
could  no  longer  confine  her  to  the  parlor,  in  her  half-sized  chair, 
with  her  calico  frock  and  apron,  and  her  hair  simply  parted. 
One  morning  I  discerned  a  row  of  ambitious  paper-curls  on  her 
head ;  soon,  a  soiled  muslin  frill  was  pinned  round  her  neck ; 
and  on  the  following  Sabbath,  when  I  was  conjecturing  what 
stranger  was  passing  the  window  stealthily,  a  second  revealed 
to  me  Polly,  with  a  bunch  of  faded  flowers  surmounting  the 
simple  green  riband  on  her  hat,  and  an  old  silk  dress,  which, 
hanging  like  a  bag  about  her  trim  figure,  betrayed  at  once  the 
ungainly  circumference  of  Mrs.  Philipson.  I  called  to  her  to 
come  back.  She  blushed,  and  said,  "  the  last  bell  was  tolling." 

"  Come  in  immediately,"  said  I. 

She  walked  slowly  and  sulkily  back,  and  I  asked  her  why  she 
wore  borrowed  clothes  ? 

For  the  first  time  in  her  life  she  looked  pertly  as  she  an 
swered,  "  I  don't  see  why  I  can't  dress  as  well  as  other  folks." 

I  reasoned  with  her,  and  used  affectionate  persuasions,  but 
finding  her  obstinate,  ordered  her  to  take  off  finery  so  unsuited 
to  her  age  and  situation.  My  anger  was  new  to  her,  and  she 
obeyed.  For  several  days  she  was  sulky  and  silent ;  every  ac 
tion  seemed  forced,  and  she  looked  at  me  as  if  I  were  a  tyrant. 
This  expression  wore  off,  and  I  hoped  for  better  things.  I 
would  willingly  have  discharged  Mrs.  Philipson,  but  how  could 
I,  with  an  infant  in  my  arms,  my  husband's  comfort  to  study, 
and  the  fang-like  chains  of  custom  clinging  to  me  ? 

Two  weeks  elapsed  in  apparent  acquiescence  to  my  wishes. 
My  whole  souj^as  absorbed  in  Frederick,  or  perhaps  I  should 
have  noticed  the  under-current  that  was  hurrying  Polly  to  de- 


A  NEW  ENGLAND  BRIDE  AND  HOUSEKEEPER.       363 

struction.  To  see  his  intelligent  smile  awakening  like  young 
creation,  to  kiss  his  rounded  limbs  as  they  came  flushed  like  the 
heart  of  a  white  rose  from  the  morning-bath,  to  feel  his  dimpled 
hand  on  my  cheek,  or  press  the  little  velvet  luxury  in  my  own, 
to  dress  him  with  maternal  pride  in  robes  wrought  by  the  hand 
of  friendship,  to  sing  him  lullabies  conjured  up  from  the  breath 
ings  of  love,  and  to  whisper  to  my  own  heart  a  thousand  and 
thousand  times,  "  he  is  an  angel" — was  not  this  occupation 
enough  for  a  young  mother? 

I  was  surprised  one  morning  not  to  hear  the  usual  move 
ments  in  the  house  below,  and  on  descending,  found  the  shutters 
unopened,  no  fire  in  the  kitchen,  and  the  outer  door  unlocked. 
I  repaired  in  some  trepidation  to  the  kitchen-chamber.  It  was 
untenanted.  Astonished  and  agitated,  I  ran  to  acquaint  Ed 
ward,  and  we  proceeded  to  examine  the  premises.  Polly's 
reasons  for  departing  were  told  in  language  as  strong  as  words, 
by  a  bundle  of  her  plain  clothes  directed  to  me. 

With  what  a  crash  comes  the  first  breach  of  confidence  on 
the  affections,  as  the  circle  of  agitation  is  more  violent  when  a 
stone  is  thrown  on  a  smooth  lake,  than  on  the  wilder  ocean !  I 
had  loved  Polly  like  a  younger  sister.  She  came  to  me  when 
my  cup  of  happiness  was  full,  and  I  was  glad  to  see  her  taste 
her  daily  draught  with  me.  She  had  looked  at  me  with  a 
trustingness  that  seemed  to  say,  "  you  are  my  oracle !"  She 
had  confided  to  me  her  childish  sorrows,  and  was  a  willing 
hearer  when  I  talked  of  Edward.  I  had  administered  to  her  in 
sickness,  and  when  my  head  ached,  if  every  other  step  was 
heavy,  hers  was  light  and  careful. 

I  looked  round  her  chamber.  There  was  the  little  glass 
hung  against  the  wall,  before  which  she  had  so  often  combed 
her  parted  hair,  and  which  had  recently  reflected  the  first 
awakened  glance  of  vanity.  She  had  forgotten  her  Bible,  Ed- 


364  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

ward's  gift.  It  was  lying  on  the  pine  dressing-table,  with  her 
pocket-handkerchief  folded  over  it,  as  if  it  had  been  her  inten 
tion  to  take  it,  but  it  ivas  forgotten !  I  glanced  at  Edward, 
and  sinking  on  her  bed,  burst  into  violent  and  bitter  tears. 
Edward  comforted  me  with  a  husband's  better  love,  but  though 
a  neighbor  sent  us  breakfast  and  assistance,  and  we  were  at 
length  seated  at  table.  I  could  not  speak ;  my  voice  was  choked, 
and  large  drops  fell  from  my  eyes  on  Fred's  silky  hair,  as  he 
lay  sleeping  on  my  lap. 

My  dear  mother  hastened  to  me  as  soon  as  Edward  sent  her 
intelligence  of  my  misfortune.  She  insisted  on  my  returning 
with  her,  and  passing  the  remainder  of  the  season ;  and  as  Ed 
ward  was  deeply  engaged  in  business,  he  urged  it  too.  In 
making  the  necessary  arrangements  for  my  removal,  I  perceived 
that  several  articles  of  my  dress  were  missing,  together  with 
some  silver,  and  my  miniature.  The  sorrowful  conviction  burst 
upon  me,  that  Polly,  instigated  by  that  human  fiend,  had  robbed 
me. 

Several  months  elapsed,  and  all  inquiries  for  the  poor  child 
were  unavailing.  How  gladly  would  I  have  taken  her  back  to 
my  protection,  and  showed  her  the  "  better  part,"  for  she  was 
young  in  sin. 

On  entering  the  court-house  one  day,  Edward  understood 
that  the  suit  in  which  he  was  engaged  would  not  be  brought  up 
immediately,  and  having  some  pressing  business,  he  commenced 
writing.  Quite  absorbed,  he  knew  not  what  was  occupying  the 
bar,  until  he  heard  a  lawyer  before  him  exclaim, 

"  By  heavens  !  it  looks  like  Packard's  wife." 

Edward  started,  and  saw  a  miniature  passing  from  hand  to 
hand  among  the  gentlemen.  He  rose  to  join  them,  and  it  came 
to  him  in  turn.  It  was  my  likeness.  I  may  write,  for  the 
sake  of  my  narrative,  what  Edward  said  in  his  enthusiasm,  for 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  365 

my  age  of  vanity,  if  I  ever  possessed  any,  has  departed.  A 
brilliant  eye,  a  rose-tinged  cheek,  and  an  airy  form,  speak  only 
to  me  now  of  the  Great  Architect  who  made  them,  and  who  has 
beauty  for  us  in  reversion  that  will  be  as  the  fine  gold  to  dross. 

"  Clarissa,"  said  my  husband,  "  think  what  must  have  been 
my  sensations  at  that  moment,  when  the  low  jests  of  some  of 
my  brethren,  and  the  unsubdued  admiration  of  others,  ignorant 
of  my  connection  with  the  picture,  fell  on  my  ear.  I  gave  one 
long  glance  at  their  lineaments  to  assure  me  of  their  identity. 
There  were  your  dark  flashing  eyes  looking  a  sweet  defiance  on 
that  heartless  crowd ;  there  were  your  ruby  lips  softening  those 
eyes  with  smiles ;  there  were  these  very  curls,  nature's  handi 
work,  falling  over  the  polished  brow ;  there  was  this  white  hand, 
pledged  to  me  in  truth  and  innocence,  and  those  slight  fingers, 
with  their  one  golden  circlet,  holding  back  the  clustering  locks, 
and  glancing  among  their  darkness  like  breaks  of  the  galaxy 
between  parting  clouds.  I  thrust  the  miniature  next  my  heart, 
and  held  my  hands  crushed  over  it  as  a  miser  holds  a  rescued 
treasure.  I  was  recalled  to  my  recollection  by  an  astonished 
smile  from  those  around  me.  A  few  words  to  the  counsel  con 
vinced  them  of  my  claim  on  the  picture,  and  my  interest  in  the 
disclosures  to  be  made." 

But  Edward  soon  forgot  even  me,  for  stationed  at  the  bar 
were  two  female  figures  familiar  to  his  memory.  It  was  impos 
sible  to  mistake  the  vulgar  air  and  face  of  Mrs.  Philipson.  As 
the  various  testimony  was  given  in,  her  eyes  rolled  in  uneasy 
impudence  from  side  to  side,  her  red  hands  were  clenched  in 
anger,  or  she  gave  an  hysterical  sob,  half  affectation,  half  alarm, 
and  raised  the  corner  of  her  shawl  to  wipe  pretended  tears. 
But  a  deeper  feeling  absorbed  him  when  he  scrutinized  the 
timid-looking  figure  by  her  side.  Her  bonnet,  a  mixture  of 
sorry  finery,  scarcely  hid  her  face,  but  it  was  closely  covered 


306  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

with  both  her  hands.  She  looked  like  one  who  would  gladly 
have  called  on  the  rocks  to  cover  her,  and  a  feeling  of  shame 
could  be  seen  in  the  very  bend  of  her  figure  as  it  crouched  by 
the  side  of  the  bolder  criminal. 

Mrs.  Philipson  had  committed  a  series  of  thefts  on  the  indi 
vidual  at  whose  charge  she  was  summoned,  and  it  was  proved 
but  too  clearly  that  her  young  companion  was  her  accomplice. 
When  Polly  was  requested  to  uncover  her  face,  she  only  pressed 
her  hands  upon  it  more  closely.  The  necessity  was  explained 
to  her,  and  she  complied.  It  was  pale  as  death,  and  care-worn 
as  though  age  had  trampled  over  it.  She  gave  one  frightened 
glance  around,  but  that  glance  took  in  the  face  of  Edward,  who 
was  leaning  forward  with  harrowing  interest.  It  was  too  much 
for  poor  Polly.  A  scream  of  joy  and  horror  burst  from  her. 
and  extending  her  arms  towards  him,  she  fell  senseless.  He 
came  forward,  and  stating  his  relation  to  her,  begged  to  be  al 
lowed  a  few  moments'  conversation  with  her  in  presence  of  coun 
sel.  The  poor  child  soon  recovered,  and  shrinking  from  the 
baleful  touch  of  her  seducer,  met  Edward's  compassionate  eye, 
who  spake  soothingly  to  her,  and  she  gathered  courage. 

"  It  was  first  flattery,  then  fear,  that  ruined  me,"  she  said,  in 
a  low  voice ;  "  but  I  have  never  loved  wickedness.  I  would  have 
come  back  to  you  if  I  could,  but  that  wicked  woman  frightened 
me,  and  gave  me  vile  drinks,  and  then  I  did  her  bidding.  I 
never  stole  for  myself.  She  gave  me  these  clothes,"  continued 
she,  earnestly,  "  they  are  all  I  own  in  the  wide  world.  If  it 
hadn't  been  for  the  picture,  sir,"  and  she  shuddered  as  she 
spoke,  "  I  might  have  been  worse.  I  hid  it  where  she  could  not 
find  it,  and  I  knelt  down  and  looked  at  it  when  I  was  afraid  to 
pray  to  God.  and  it  seemed  to  strengthen  me,  and  make  me 
bolder  in  the  right.  They  took  it  from  me,  or  I  would  give  it 
to  you,  sir."  Here  her  voice  was  very  mournful,  but  looking 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  367 

again  terrified,  she  said,  "  Do  you  think  they  can  hang  me  for 
this?  I  am  sure  I  shall  grow  good  again." 

The  trial  closed,  and  Mrs.  Philipson  was  sentenced  to  the 
heaviest  penalty  of  the  law.  Polly's  youth  and  inexperience 
were  mitigating  circumstances,  and  her  punishment  was  almost 
nominal. 

About  twilight  on  the  evening  of  that  day,  Edward  came 
home,  as  I  thought,  with  a  stranger.  In  a  moment,  Polly  was 
at  my  feet,  asking  pardon  through  gushing  tears.  Her  story 
was  soon  told,  and  I  comforted  the  young  penitent  with  Chris 
tian  promises. 

The  next  morning  she  came  down  with  her  calico  frock  and 
apron,  her  hair  parted  again  with  girlish  simplicity,  and  hid  her 
bashfulness  in  caresses  of  my  Frederick. 

She  has  been  my  tried  and  faithful  friend,  through  joy  and 
sorrow,  for  many  years  ;  and  is  now  pitting  in  her  low  chair, 
with  a  plain,  respectable  looking  cap  over  her  hair,  which  is  just 
revealing  the  first  tread  of  time,  while  my  grand-daughter  Clar 
issa  is  roguishly  trying  on  her  new  spectacles. 


CHAPTER    X. 


KITCHEN     COURTSHIP. 

-  Iris  aspect  breathed  r«f>oa», 
AoA  in  sweet  totpor  be  was  plunged  deep, 
Ne  could  bimwif  from  oeazetan  yawning  keep. 


IT  was  winter  when  I  returned  to  housekeeping,  and  installed 
Lydia.  commonly  pronounced  Lyddy  Pierce.  as  president  of  tbe 
dishcloth.  She  was  of  the  demure  sort,  as  silent  and  regular 
as  the  stars,  past  the  heyday  of  youth,  and  had  reached  an 
age  which  the  eagle-eyed  housekeeper  loves.  I  had  restored 
Polly  to  fall  confidence.  The  sooner  you  trust  in  a  generous 
mind  after  error,  the  more  hold  you  possess  over  its  returning 
rectitude,  and  the  more  it  feels  the  practicability  of  virtue. 

One  of  our  visitors  was  3Ir.  Stockton,  a  gentleman  of  broken 
mercantile  fortunes,  about  thirty-five  years  of  a^re.  lie  had  re 
served  from  his  creditors  just  sufficient  for  his  own  support  : 
but  not  having  much  energy  of  character,  stood  »till  at  that 
point,  and  kept  himself  alive  by  calling  ataut  once  a  week  to 
pass  an  evening  with  his  friends.  HLs  ideas  were  all  in  a  circle. 
and  to  us  it  was  a  mental  tread-mill  We  soon  learned  to  dis- 
tingubh  his  knock  at  tbe  door,  and  what  a  death-peal  was  it  to 
our  imaginations  when,  after  having  put  Frederick  to  bed.  I  sat 
sewing  and  Edward  reading,  in  tbe  luxury  of  winter  evening 
repose.  We  could  have  tolerated  his  visits  with  cheerful  polite- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE-  369 

ness  bad  they  been  of  moderate  length :  or  had  he  possessed 
any  conversational  powers,  we  would  have  listened  patiently : 
but  Mr.  Stockton  seemed  to  have  nothing  on  earth  to  say. 
Why  he  came  to  see  us.  and  why  he  tarried  so  long.  I  have 
never  learned  to  this  day.  I  once  heard  a  father  say  to  a  son 
who  was  going  to  college.  ~  Samuel,  however  intimate  you  may 
be.  never  make  Joug  visits/'  This  good  advice  Mr.  Stockton 
either  never  heard,  or  disregarded. 

He  had  been  sitting  with  us  one  evening  five  hours,  having 
come  to  a  sociable  tea.  A  pause  in  the  conversation  being 
unusually  long.  I  looked  up  from  my  sewing,  and  saw  Edward 
asleep.  I  felt  a  little  fidgety,  and  took  the  tongs  to  mend  the 
fire.  Edward  stretched  forward  his  legs  and  called  out.  "  May 
it  please  your  honor,  the  plaintiff — "  I  contrived  to  pass  near 
him.  and  trod  upon  his  foot.  He  started  and  recovered,  some 
what  refreshed,  while  Mr.  Stockton,  brightening  up  with  the 
incident,  thought  proper  to  sit  an  hour  longer. 

Another  evening  (it  was  the  Sabbath),  when  Edward  had 
taken  two  or  three  nods  I  went  into  the  kitchen,  and  with  a 
preliminary  yawn  told  Polly  that  I  could  keep  awake  no  longer, 
and  bade  her  come  in  and  collect  the  silver  to  carry  to  my  bed 
room,  and  close  the  parlor  shutters.  ••  There  is  some  hope/* 
said  I.  "  that  Mr.  Stockton  may  observe  what  you  are  doing 
and  depart."  It  was  then  ten  o'clock.  Polly  bustled  about  and 
closed  the  shutters,  and  as  she  passed  me  I  whispered.  "  Make 
as  much  noise  as  possible." 

"  An  excellent  plan  that,''  said  Mr.  Stockton,  "  to  close  the 
shutters :  it  keeps  in  the  warm  air ;''  and  he  buttoned  up  his 
coat,  drew  his  chair  nearer  the  fire,  and  put  his  feet  on  the 
fonder. 

Edward  almost  groaned,  and  we  sat  cogitating  until  eleven 
o'clock  before  Mr.  Stockton  said,  with  a  hem  and  a  little  hitch 


370  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

of  his  chair,  that  he  "  believed  it  was  getting  late."  Edward 
and  I  were  silent. 

"  The  evenings  are  growing  long,"  said  he. 

"  Very,"  rejoined  Edward  and  I,  in  a  breath. 

"  These  are  fine  nights  for  sleep,  Mr.  Packard,"  said  our  im 
perturbable  visitor. 

"  Very,"  answered  Edward,  and  I  echoed  "  Very." 

"  The  fire  treads  snow,"*  said  Mr.  Stockton,  "  I  think  we 
shall  have  falling  weather." 

Edward  rose,  unbolted  a  window,  and  looking  out,  said,  "  Yes, 
falling  weather ;"  and  bolting  the  window-shutter  again,  sat 
down. 

"  I  believe  I  must  think  of  going,"  said  Mr.  Stockton.  A 
dead  pause. — At  length,  for  all  late  sittings,  whether  in  Con 
gress  or  parlors,  will  have  an  end,  our  guest  departed. 

I  usually  visited  the  kitchen  before  retiring,  to  observe 
whether  all  were  safe.  For  several  evenings  I  found  the  ashes 
raked  up  in  a  symmetrical  mound,  the  hearth  swept  clean,  the 
boiler  filled  and  placed  upon  the  trammels,  and  the  dough  in  its 
white  trough,  with  its  whiter  towel,  set  at  a  safe  distance  to 
rise. 

After  Mr.  Stockton's  departure  I  went  as  usual  to  inspect 
the  premises,  leaving  the  parlor  door  open  to  light  the  passage. 
Everything  was  quiet,  but  I  fancied  that  the  settle,  the  back  of 
which  was  towards  me,  was  too  near  the  fire.  In  the  act  of  re 
moving  it  I  caught  hold  of  a  head  of  well  greased  hair,  and 
heard,  though  too  late,  a  warning  hem  ! 

I  screamed,  and  Edward  ran  with  a  light.  Lyddy  and  a 
young  man  who  sat  beside  her  rose  in  some  confusion,  but  the 
maiden  soon  recovered,  and  said  with  great  composure, 

"  I  forgot  to  tell  you,  ma'am,  that  I  had  a  spark. — This  is 
*  A  phrase  for  a  crackling  sound  in  ignited  wood. 


A  NEW  ENGLAND  BRIDE  AND  HOUSEKEEPER.       371 

Nathan  Osgood,  Mr.  Hill  the  tailor's  'prentice,  a  very  reputable 
person." 

I  apologized  in  my  turn,  and  left  Mr.  Osgood  to  "  smooth  his 
raven  darkness." 

There  is  a  tacit  agreement  in  New-England,  allowing  this 
midnight  intercourse  in  the  best  regulated  families ;  families 
who  would  raise  their  hands  and  eyes  at  every  breach  of  deco 
rum  ;  I  therefore  retired,  and  left  Nathan  and  Lyddy  in  undis 
turbed  possession  of  the  settle. 

It  so  chanced,  that  Lyddy  having  as  little  to  say  in  the 
kitchen  as  Mr.  Stockton  in  the  parlor,  the  happy  couple  fell 
asleep.  In  the  meantime  the  elements,  which  pay  regard 
neither  to  Leanders  nor  Nathans,  were  brewing  a  quiet  but  po 
tent  snow-storm.  They  formed  a  regular  and  sure  barricade  of 
snow-flakes  through  the  silent  hours  of  night ;  a  drifting  wind 
bore  them  against  our  doors  and  windows,  and  settling  into  a 
biting  northeaster  cemented  them  there  ;  and  when  Nathan,  stiff 
from  his  sitting  posture  and  chilled  with  cold,  awoke  at  the 
mechanic's  early  hour,  he  found  himself  imprisoned  by  these 
Alpine  banks. 

He  awoke  Lyddy,  and  called  a  council  of  love.  The  snow 
banks  reached  to  the  second  story  over  the  kitchen.  He  might 
have  gone  out  at  the  front  door,  but  was  he  a  man  to  leave  his 
Lyddy  struggling  with  the  powers  of  frost  ?  Not  he.  With 
shovel  in  hand  he  commenced  operations,  and  in  an  hour  she 
was  able  to  follow  him  with  a  broom,  sweeping  away  the  lighter 
particles,  under  an  arch  of  snow,  to  the  wood-house  ;  and  in 
half  an  hour  more  he  cleared  his  way  to  the  street,  claimed  a 
lover's  reward,  went  home,  mounted  his  week-day  clothes,  and 
for  six  days  was  as  faithful  a  tailor  as  he  had  been  lover  on  the 
seventh. 

I  arose  at  eight,  and  found  snow-patches  in  every  crevice  of 


372  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

my  windows,  a  tracery  of  frost-work  on  the  panes  of  glass,  and 
the  water  in  the  ewer  a  mass  of  ice.  With  chattering  teeth 
and  purple  fingers  I  descended  to  the  parlor.  It  was  in  per 
fect  order ;  a  cheerful  fire  blazed  on  the  hearth,  and  Edward's 
boots,  polished  to  the  highest,  were  warming  by  the  fender. 
The  scene  in  the  kitchen  was  equally  auspicious.  Lyddy.  with 
as  grave  a  look  as  though  she  had  never  felt  la  belle  passion, 
stood  at  the  wash-tub  (in  which  she  had  made  far  advances), 
watching  the  baking  cakes.  Polly  had  Fred  between  her  knees, 
wrapped  up  in  a  flannel  gown,  his  scorched  face  looking  like  a 
full  moon.  She  was  dexterously  keeping  her  sewing  from  his 
mischievous  grasp,  and  persevering  in  spite  of  him  in  her  indus 
try.  What  could  rival  the  comfort  of  such  a  home,  when,  to 
complete  the  luxury.  Polly  with  her  smiling  face  brought  to  the 
breakfast-table  the  hot  coffee,  which,  as  the  poet  sings  of  some 
thing  else,  was 

:'  deep,  yet  clear, 

Strong  without  rage,  without  overflowing,  full." 

And  all  this  with  the  thermometer  below  zero ! 

I  have  not  yet  mentioned  that  Lyddy  was  excessively  deaf. 
Polly  used  to  say  "  she  was  as  deaf  as  a  haddock."  I  have 
sometimes  speculated  about  this  New-England  phrase,  but  have 
not  been  able  to  trace  its  origin,  and  I  do  not  find  that  natural 
ists  refer  to  any  peculiar  organization  of  the  species  which 
authorizes  it. 

It  was  not  the  fault  of  my  lungs  if  our  neighbors  did  not 
know  the  items  of  our  daily  food.  I  often  forgot  that  others 
were  not  deaf,  and  caught  Edward  smiling  at  my  trumpet- 
tongued  style.  One  day  in  particular,  when  a  stranger  was 
dining  with  us,  I  had  been  unusually  occupied  in  preparing  for 
dinner  in  the  kitchen,  and  had  pitched  my  voice  very  high. 
Quite  unconsciously  I  turned  to  our  guest,  and  his  politeness 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  373 

could  scarcely  prevent  his  starting  when  I  screamed,  "  Allow  me 
to  give  you  a  piece  of  ham,  sir." 

'•  Clarissa,"  said  Mr.  Packard,  greatly  amused,  "  Mr.  Stevens 
is  not  deaf." 

I  was  sadly  disconcerted,  and  it  was  some  time  before  our 
courteous  visitor  could  bow  and  smile  me  into  self-possession. 

One  of  the  accidents  which  Lyddy's  infirmity  caused  was 
particularly  provoking,  and  occurred  in  the  following  manner  at 
a  fruit-party,  given  by  us  to  some  New-Yorkers,  who  brought 
us  letters.  I  made  unusual  efforts  to  procure  fresh  cream,  and 
had  succeeded  so  well,  that  dishes  with  ladles  stood  at  the  head, 
foot,  and  centre  of  the  table  ;  enough  indeed  for  a  housekeep 
er's  measure,  which  is,  to  make  every  one  help  freely,  without 
looking  round  to  see  how  far  a  thing  will  go.  My  sensitiveness 
was  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  display,  as  I  saw  the  thick  white 
volumes  poured  over  the  rich  red  raspberries  and  strawberries, 
but  as  quickly  I  detected  a  change  in  my  guests ;  here  a  half 
look  of  disgust,  there  a  glance  of  concern,  in  one  quarter  un 
usual  eloquence,  in  another  unusual  taciturnity.  Every  one 
knows  that  the  lady  of  the  house  is  the  last  person  to  taste  at 
table  of  her  own  delicacies,  and  so  confident  was  I  in  the  per 
fection  of  the  cream,  that  I  would  have  volunteered  to  stand 
in  Hebe's  place  with  it,  as  cup-bearer  to  the  gods.  Edward's 
turn  came  before  mine.  "  Bless  my  soul,  my  dear,"  said  he, 
with  a  wry  face,  "  what  is  the  matter  with  the  cream  ?" 

I  dipped  my  spoon  in  the  compound  which  has  furnished  the 
poet  with  so  exquisite  an  illustration  of  beauty, 

"  Her  lips  looked  like  strawberries  smothered  in  cream." 

and 

"  When  fondly  thinking  to  allay 
My  appetite  with  gust,  instead  of  fruit 
Chewed  bitter  ashes  which  th1  offended  taste 
With  spattering  noise  rejected." — 


374  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE. 

Or,  to  be  less  Miltonian,  I  tasted,  and  would  willingly  have 
thrown  from  my  mouth  a  nauseous  mixture  of  salted  cream. 

Lyddy,  who,  as  is  not  unfrequently  the  case,  had  doffed  her 
cook's  habit  and  acted  as  waiting-woman,  perceived  in  helpless 
ignorance  of  wrong,  the  consternation  that  prevailed.  I  had 
tact  enough  to  know  tnat  to  question  her  would  be  worse  than 
useless  ;  but  Edward,  forgetting  her  deafness,  asked  her,  as  she 
stood  near  him,  "what  was  the  matter  with  the  cream  ?" 

"  Very  sweet  and  fresh,  sir,"  said  she,  in  the  guttural  tone 
peculiar  to  very  deaf  people;  '-kept  down  the  cellar  all  the 
forenoon." 

This  malapropos  answer  came  in  very  well,  and  turned  mor 
tification  to  mirth,  which  was  increased  when  Edward  said,  in  a 
louder  tone, 

"But,  Lyddy.  what  have  you  done  to  the  cream?"  and  she 
answered, 

"  Yes,  sir,  very  fresh ;  Miss  Hatch  was  spoke  to  aforehand 
for  the  best,  and  I  thought  I  would  salt  it  to  presarve  it,  as 
Miss  Packard  tell'd  me." 

This  grave  answer  let  loose  the  flood-gates  of  wit  and  laugh 
ter,  and  we  finished  our  dessert  with  attic  salt,  as  a  substitute 
for  poor  Lyddy's  mistaken  mixture. 

But  while  I  thus  detail  circumstances  which,  if  taken  by  the 
housekeeper  in  a  right  spirit,  produce  at  worst  but  a  passing 
shade  over  the  brightness  of  her  regime,  let  me  stop  a  moment 
to  pay  a  tribute  to  Lydia's  unpretending  virtues.  Happy  shall 
we  be  if,  like  her,  we  only  mistake  our  duty.  Through  her 
long  days  of  toil,  her  onward  course  was  calm  and  steady,  un 
ruffled  by  passion,  studious  to  please,  contemplative  and  prayer 
ful.  Her  study  was  to  serve  God  and  her  fellow-creatures. 
Peace  to  thy  memory,  my  humble  friend  !  When  the  lords  of 
this  world  are  summoned  to  the  test  of  a  high  tribunal,  will 
they  not  envy  thee? 


CHAPTER   XL 

THE    HELPLESS    BEIDE. 

For  the  maist  thrifty  man  could  never  get 
A  well-stored  room,  unless  his  wife  wad  let. 

Oentle  Shepherd. 

In  short,  'twas  his  fate,  sir, 
To  eat  mutton  cold. 

GOLDSMITH'S  Retaliation. 

A  LETTER  which  I  have  recently  received  seems  so  appropri 
ate  to  my  recollections,  that  I  hope  I  shall  be  excused  for  pre 
senting  it  in  these  details.  Its  writer,  Emily  Lawrence,  seemed 
never  made  for  a  coarser  implement  than  a  No.  12  needle. 
Before  her  marriage  she  breathed  the  very  atmosphere  of  indul 
gence,  the  acquisition  of  various  accomplishments  being  the 
only  discipline  she  was  called  to  endure.  Her  hands  were  white 
and  soft  as  infancy,  her  step  untroubled  and  elastic,  her  spirits 
joyous  and  gentle,  her  smile  delicate  as  moonlight ;  she  was  a 
sweet  creature,  and  her  friends  loved  to  lift  her  along  the  road 
of  life  without  her  touching  the  earth.  Her  experiences  after 
her  marriage  will  be  best  illustrated  by  her  letter. 

"  QUINCY,  Mass.,  Aug.  9th,  18—. 
"  MY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

"  I  have  been  for  some  time  intending  to  write  to  you,  as  I 
promised  at  parting,  to  give  you  a  description  of  our  establish 
ment,  and  the  beautiful  scenery  about  this  delightful  region.  I 


376  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

have  but  little  excuse  for  my  delay,  and  will  make  amends  by  a 
long  letter. 

"  You  recollect  that  when  I  left  niy  dear  maternal  home,  my 
mother  provided  me  with  excellent  domestics,  and  everything 
useful  and  elegant  suited  to  our  large  fortune.  Indeed  there 
seemed  no  deficiency  throughout  the  whole  establishment,  and 
she  departed  for  England,  happy  in  the  belief  that  the  care  and 
expense  bestowed  on  my  education  had  been  attended  with  com 
plete  success ;  that  I  was  fitted  to  adorn  the  fortune  I  inherited, 
and  to  preside  over  a  family  with  grace  and  dignity.  Alas  ! 
she  had  only  seen  me  in  my  drawing-room,  surrounded  with 
taste  and  elegance,  beautifully  dressed,  with  an  admiring  hus 
band  who  studied  every  wish.  But,  my  dear  friend.  I  soon 
found  myself  involved  in  perplexities.  Oh  how  I  wished  you 
were  here  to  enlighten  me  by  your  experience  ! 

"  The  domestics  I  brought  with  me  from  Boston  soon  began 
to  grow  dissatisfied  with  the  monotony  of  a  country  life,  and  to 
feel  the  want  of  those  social  pleasures  to  which  all  human  be 
ings  aspire.  My  cook,  an  excellent  woman,  pined  for  her  own 
minister.  She  had  been  a  very  respectable  member  of  the  Con 
gregational  church  in  her  native  town,  and  feeling  the  want  of 
those  respectful  attentions  to  which  she  had  been  accustomed 
on  the  Sabbath,  it  was  always  a  melancholy  day  to  her.  In 
vain  I  took  her  in  our  comfortable  coach  to  the  Episcopal 
church,  which  was  under  the  especial  patronage  of  my  husband, 
and  seated  her  in  a  respectable  pew ;  she  said  '  she  did  not  like 
to  hear  prayers  read,  she  wished  to  hear  the  minister  pray  from 
his  heart,  as  she  had  been  accustomed  to  hear.' 

"  My  chamber-maid  Amanda,  who  was  something  of  a  co 
quette,  and  very  fond  of  dress,  complained  that  she  •'  might  as 
well  be  shut  up  in  a  prison ;  to  be  sure  the  house  was  well 
enough,  and  her  wages  were  high,  and  she  hadn't  much  to  do, 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  377 

and  got  presents  from  the  visitors,  but  what  did  all  that  signify 
if  she  was  to  be  moped  up  in  a  great  castle  of  a  place,  with  nobody 
to  speak  to  ?  Besides,  she  didn't  like  the  prospect  from  the 
kitchen  winders,  and  Mr.  Lawrence  had  not  given  her  a  rocking- 
chair — she  had  always  been  used  to  a  rocking-chair  in  kitchens.' 

"  My  own  little  waiting-maid,  who  knew  nothing  but  how  to 
dress  me,  and  whose  whole  happiness  consisted  in  making  me 
look  beautiful,  was,  except  the  coachman,  the  only  contented 
one  in  the  establishment ;  her  happiness  was  complete  when  my 
dear  Henry  came  into  my  dressing-room,  admired  my  charms, 
and  the  taste  with  which  Jane  had  adorned  them. 

"  Complaints  daily  increased,  although  Mr.  Lawrence  cut 
down  a  fine  tree  to  open  the  view  from  the  kitchen,  and  pro 
vided  a  rocking-chair  for  Amanda  ;  and  she  soon  left  me,  be 
cause,  when  a  smart  young  gardener  in  our  employ  wished  to 
stay  with  her,  I  would  not  allow  them  a  separate  room  from  the 
kitchen  to  court  in. 

"  My  footman  was  equally  discontented ;  he  was  tired  of  a 
subordinate  situation,  and  having  accumulated  a  considerable 
amount  in  the  Savings  Bank,  decided  to  go  back  to  the  city  and 
set  up  in  trade  ;  and  this  decision  seemed  accelerated  by  Mr. 
Lawrence  offering  him  a  second-hand  hat,  upon  which  he  took 
up  his  own  and  departed. 

"  Our  cook,  who  was  a  woman  of  principle,  gave  us  formal 
notice  of  her  intention  to  go  away,  and  really  seemed  to  feel  for 
my  situation  ;  but  she  said  her  conscience  wouldn't  let  her  stay. 
She  remained,  however,  until  we  were  accommodated  with  such 
domestics  as  the  country  afforded. 

"  The  mistakes  which  occurred  the  first  few  days  after  her 
departure  we  ascribed  to  accident,  and,  as  we  were  without  com 
pany,  they  rather  amused  us.  The  waiting-man,  John,  on  his 
first  debut,  placed  the  dinner-service  on  the  table,  putting  a 


378  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

small  dish  of  vegetables  at  the  head,  a  piece  of  roast-beef  at  one 
corner,  and  deliberately  moving  the  pickles  in  front  of  my 
carver.  I  followed  him,  and  gave  him  directions,  to  which 
he  paid  very  respectful  attention.  As  we  seated  ourselves, 
he  took  up  a  newspaper  and  sat  down  by  the  window  to  read. 
Mr.  Lawrence  was  exceedingly  annoyed,  because  he  could 
not  instantly  decide  whether  he  was  impudent  as  well  as  igno 
rant.  After  some  embarrassment  he  said. 

" '  Young  man,  it  is  not  customary  for  a  person  employed  to 
wait  at  table  to  sit  down.' 

"  John  started  up  with  great  alacrity,  and  said,  '  Oh,  isn't  it? 
TYell,  I'd  as  lief  stand,  I  ain't  the  least  grain  tired.  You  havn't 
a  power  of  work  for  a  hired  man  to  do.' 

"  We  felt  some  comfort  in  the  idea  that  we  had  only  igno 
rance  to  contend  with,  though  that  was  bad  enough,  considering 
our  inexperience.  Henry  very  good-naturedly  instructed  him 
in  his  business,  and  although  it  seemed  very  strange  to  him 
that  two  persons  should  require  a  third  to  stand  and  watch 
them  while  they  were  eating,  yet  finding  the  work  easy  and 
profitable,  he  soon  acquitted  himself  to  our  satisfaction. 

"  As  we  lived  at  some  distance  from  town,  I  was  frequently 
without  the  common  necessaries  for  cooking,  from  my  total  ig 
norance  of  what  ought  to  be  furnished  beforehand.  My  new 
cook,  though  perfectly  obliging,  knew  nothing  of  her  business, 
and  it  was  deplorable  to  see  her  serve  up  a  dinner.  It  hap 
pened,  perhaps  unfortunately,  that  we  had  no  company  for  sev 
eral  weeks,  and  Henry  and  myself  were  too  much  engrossed 
with  each  other  to  observe  the  gradual  decline  of  good  order 
which  had  taken  place  since  the  departure  of  our  city  help  ;  but 
we  were  at  length  aroused  by  a  letter  from  Henry's  uncle  and 
former  guardian,  announcing  that  as  we  had  been  at  housekeeping 
long  enough  to  have  everything  in  fine  order,  he  would  pay  us  a 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  3*79 

visit.  We  were  delighted  at  the  prospect  of  seeing  him,  and  it 
did  not  occur  to  us  immediately  that  he  was  very  particular, 
and  our  domestics  very  ignorant. 

"  When  he  arrived  I  felt  some  anxiety  that  he  should  have  a 
comfortable  dinner,  and  went  into  the  kitchen  for  the  first  time 
to  consult  with  the  cook.  I  confess,  with  all  my  inexperience, 
I  felt  shocked  and  alarmed  at  the  dirt  with  which  I  was  sur 
rounded,  and  at  the  singular  appropriations  of  the  various  arti 
cles  of  kitchen  furniture.  One  of  the  best  tin-pans  was  on  the 
hearth,  full  of  ashes  ;  a  fine  damask  towel  had  been  used  to 
wipe  the  dishes ;  the  oil-can  and  rags  stood  in  a  chair ;  and  a 
pair  of  Henry's  good  boots  were  thrust  under  the  sink  with 
some  iron  pots,  in  which  were  the  accumulated  skimmings  of 
weeks. 

"  I  found  that  the  butcher  had  left  a  leg  of  veal,  and  nothing 
else ;  but  recollecting  that  my  uncle  was  very  fond  of  stuffed 
veal,  I  told  the  cook  to  stuff  and  roast  it.  She  asked  if  I  had 
any  sweet  herbs.  I  told  her  that  I  believed  the  herbs  in  the 
kitchen  were  used,  but  that  my  mother  had  put  me  up  several 
paper  bags  of  sage,  catnip,  &c.,  which  I  supposed  would  do  as 
well,  and  ordered  her  to  put  in  a  plenty,  as  my  uncle  liked  his 
food  high-seasoned. 

"  My  husband  invited  two  neighboring  gentlemen  to  take 
a  family  dinner.  When  the  veal  was  carved  and  tasted,  I 
leave  it  to  your  imagination  to  conceive  of  my  distress  and 
Henry's  mortification,  on  finding  that  our  only  dish  was  ruined. 
A  half-picked  ham-bone  was  summoned  from  the  store-room,  on 
which  our  guests  satisfied  the  cravings  of  appetite. 

"  The  following  day  we  made  more  elaborate  preparations, 
and  Mr.  Lawrence  asked  me,  in  the  most  gentle  manner,  just  to 
look  into  the  kitchen  and  see  that  everything  was  going  on 
right.  Being  sincerely  desirous  to  please  my  dear  husband  and 


380  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

discharge  my  duty,  I  determined  to  spend  the  morning  in  the 
kitchen.  But  there  I  was  in  everybody's  way  and  only  worried 
by  trying  to  hurry  my  unskilful  domestics  ;  indeed,  I  was 
wholly  incompetent  even  to  advise  them. 

"  I  began  to  feel  some  trepidation  as  the  dinner-hour  ap 
proached  5  and  when  I  saw  the  heterogeneous  mass  on  the  ta 
ble,  in  a  style  so  different  from  our  former  elegant  dinners,  I 
had  scarcely  courage  to  take  my  seat.  My  uncle  sat  next  to 
me,  and  offered  to  carve  a  pair  of  roasted  chickens.  When  he 
cut  off  the  wing,  out  dropped  from  the  crop  (as  I  have  since 
heard  it  is  called)  corn,  and  beans,  and  grass,  just  as  they  had 
been  eaten  by  the  fowl.  I  perceived  by  his  countenance  that 
something  was  wrong,  but  he  adroitly  concealed  the  unsightly 
objects  from  our  visitors,  and  refrained  from  making  any  re 
mark. 

"  When  our  guests  departed,  he  took  me  aside,  and  said, 

" '  My  dear  child,  you  had  materials  enough  on  your  table 
for  twenty  persons,  but  your  cookery  is  deplorably  deficient. 
Your  mother  neglected  a  very  important  part  of  your  educa 
tion.  You  will  spend  your  fortune  to  very  little  purpose  if, 
amid  the  abundance  with  which  you  are  surrounded,  you  cannot 
procure  a  well-cooked  dinner.' 

"  I  felt  at  that  moment  as  if  I  would  have  given  up  all  my 
French,  German,  and  every  accomplishment,  in  exchange  for 
the  knowledge  which  would  make  me  a  good  housekeeper. 
Every  young  married  woman  who  is  ignorant  of  her  duties  will 
meet  mortifications  at  every  step ;  an  elegant  establishment,  an 
ample  fortune,  and  even  a  devoted  husband,  will  not  secure  her 
happiness. 

';  You  may  suppose  that  my  nerves  became  considerably  ex 
cited  ;  indeed,  I  could  not  always  control  my  ^feelings  during 
my  uncle's  visit.  The  day  before  his  departure  Henry  again 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  381 

had  company,  and  had  been  at  some  pains  to  procure  a  brace 
of  partridges  for  dinner.  They  looked  very  well,  for  I  studied 
a  cook-book  that  morning,  but  when  my  husband  cut  them, 
they  were  nearly  raw ;  he  gave  a  glance  at  me,  I  burst  into 
tears,  and  was  so  much  agitated  that  I  was  obliged  to  quit  the 
table.  He  followed,  and  said  everything  he  could  to  console 
me,  but  utterly  unable  to  command  myself,  I  begged  him  to 
carry  my  apology  to  his  guests,  and  I  sobbed  away  the  after 
noon. 

"  My  uncle  has  promised  to  look  out  for  an  experienced  house 
keeper  for  me,  and  I  have  engaged  to  take  lessons  of  her,  so 
that  when  he  comes  again  I  can  show  him  my  own  cookery.  I 
told  him  I  should  be  more  proud  of  serving  up  a  well-dressed 
turkey  for  him,  with  all  the  accompaniments  in  good  order, 
than  in  performing  the  most  difficult  piece  of  music.  Both  he 
and  Henry  smiled  encouragingly  on  me,  and  said  that  with  such 
a  disposition  to  do  right  I  could  not  fail  of  succeeding.  But 
how  much  better  would  it  have  been  to  have  been  taught  these 
things  under  the  eye  of  a  mother  !  My  husband  is  very  social 
in  his  disposition,  and  frequently  brings  home  guests  unexpect 
edly,  and  I  often  see  his  brow  clouded  and  his  temper  disturbed 
by  the  total  ignorance  of  his  wife.  Not  that  he  complains,  for 
he  knows  how  desirous  I  am  to  please  him  ever  to  say  a  word 
to  wound  my  feelings,  but  I  can  perceive  that  he  is  anxious, 
and  instead  of  feeling  light-hearted  with  his  guests,  is  dreading 
blunders  which  will  make  me  ridiculous. 

"  And  now,  my  dear  and  respected  friend,  let  me  ask  you  to 
come,  and  counsel  and  teach  me.  I  find  that  wealth  cannot  pro 
duce  order  and  comfort,  and  I  long  for  your  example  and  ad 
vice  in  the  absence  of  my  mother. 

"  Affectionately  yours, 

"  EMILY  LAWRENCE." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

A     STRUGGLE     FOR    POWER. 

He  reprimands,  by  glancing  with  his  eye — 
And  she  inflicts  her  soft  reproach — a  sigh. 
That's  all— and  that's  enough  for  man  and  wife ; 
Did  you  expect  an  Iliad  of  strife  ? 
Why  need  invective  to  make  error  smart, 
When  looks  and  signs  as  deeply  touch  the  heart  ? 

S.  GlLMAN. 

THREE  years  passed  quietly  away  before  Lyddy  gave  her 
hand  in  marriage  to  Nathan  Osgood.  Notwithstanding  her  at 
tention  to  the  duties  of  my  family,  Lyddy  made  two  quilts  of 
marvellous  beauty.  One  was  in  hexagon  pieces,  each  the  size 
of  a  dollar.  The  other  displayed  in  the  centre  a  tree,  on  which 
were  birds  larger  than  the  limbs  thereof,  while  each  corner  con 
tained  what  I  was  glad  to  be  informed  was  a  shepherd  with  his 
flock.  To  accomplish  these  chefs  cPcBuvre  I  had  seen  several 
yards  of  good  chintz  destroyed  ;  but,  as  the  gentlemen  say,  de 
gitstibus  non  est  disputandum. 

Lyddy's  successor,  Hannah  Sanders'  first  request  on  becom 
ing  my/icfy)  was,  that  she  might  attend  night-meetings.  I  readily 
agreed  to  this,  thinking  that  she  was  attached  to  some  church, 
and  would  be  more  conscientious  from  her  religious  profession  ; 
but  she  proved  to  be  the  mere  child  of  excitement.  She  at 
tended  every  denomination, — was  out  every  evening.  The  toll 
ing  of  a  bell  unhinged  all  her  faculties.  When  I  said  to  her, 
"  Hannah,  I  should  like  to  have  you  reflect  one  evening  on  what 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE.  383 

you  have  heard  the  evening  before,"  she  answered.  "  Oh,  Miss 
Packard,  you  don't  know  anything  about  it.  When  I  am  at 
meeting  I  feel  like  a  gill  cup  running  over." 

But  I  must  not  omit  to  introduce  at  this  period  a  department 
of  my  establishment  which,  though  humble  in  itself,  wrought 
important  effects  on  my  after-happiness. 

I  carried  with  me  from  my  mother's  house  a  cat,  which  was 
so  beautiful  that  I  named  her  Fairy,  in  honor  of  the  damsel 
who  was  changed  to  Grimalkin  in  the  old  romance.  If  I  had  a 
prejudice  it  was  in  favor  of  cats  and  against  dogs ;  this  was  un 
fortunate,  for  soon  after  my  marriage  I  was  introduced  to  a 
mastiff  of  Edward's  nearly  as  large  as  myself.  I  had  often 
heard  him  speak  of  this  dog,  and  praise  the  faithfulness  with 
which  he  guarded  the  office.  I  was  too  busy  in  other  interests  to 
think  much  of  Growler  for  some  time.  I  only  observed,  that  on 
his  occasional  visits  (for  the  office  was  his  head-quarters),  Fairy's 
back  rose  indignantly,  and  I  felt  mine  disposed  to  mount  too. 

At  length,  Growler  finding  the  house  so  comfortable,  came 
homo  at  night  with  his  master,  and  daringly  laid  his  unwieldy 
form  on  the  centre  of  the  hearth-rug,  while  Fairy,  routed  from 
her  luxurious  station,  stood  upon  her  dignity,  hissing  and  sput 
tering  in  one  corner. 

For  a  long  period  a  single  look  from  me  would  make  Edward 
banish  Growler  from  the  room  ;  but  a  present  of  a  new  office- 
dog  from  a  friend  completely  established  him  at  home,  and  my 
husband  became  accustomed  to  my  look  and  Growler's  presence. 
When  he  grew  indifferent  my  ire  was  roused.  I  affirmed,  that 
of  all  created  things  dogs  were  the  dirtiest, — that  the  house 
was  filled  with  fleas, — that  my  visitors  never  could  approach 
the  fire, — that  Growler  ate  us  out  of  house  and  home, — and  if 
he  were  to  be  indulged  in  tracking  the  Wilton  carpet  and 
painted  floors,  we  had  better  live  in  a  wigwam. 


384  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

Edward  sometimes  gently  excused  his  dog,  sometimes  de 
fended  him,  and  always  turned  him  out  of  doors.  The  animal, 
knowing  he  had  an  enemy  in  the  cabinet,  would  sneak  in  with  a 
coward  look,  his  tail  between  his  legs,  but  invariably  succeeded 
in  ensconcing  himself  on  Fairy's  rightful  domain. 

At  length  I  became  quite  nervous  about  him.  It  seemed  to 
me  that  he  haunted  me  like  a  ghost.  I  was  even  jealous  of  Ed 
ward's  caresses  to  him,  and  looked  and  spoke  as  no  good  wife 
should  look  or  speak  to  her  husband. 

It  is  from  permitting  such  trifles  to  gain  the  ascendency  over 
the  mind  that  most  connubial  discord  proceeds.  "We  dwell  on 
some  little  peculiarity  in  manner  or  taste  opposed  to  our  own, 
and  jar  the  rich  harp  of  domestic  happiness  until,  one  by  one, 
every  string  is  broken.  I  might  have  gone  on  in  this  foolish 
ingenuity  in  unhappiness,  and  perhaps  have  been  among  those 
whose  matrimonial  bands  are  chains,  not  garlands,  had  I  not, 
when  reading  one  Sabbath  morning  the  fifth  chapter  of  Ephe- 
sians,  been  struck  with  a  sudden  sense  of  my  duty,  as  I  met  the 
words,  "  and  the  wife  see  that  she  reverence  her  husband." 

Oh,  young  and  lovely  bride,  watch  well  the  first  moments 
when  your  will  conflicts  with  his  to  whom  God  and  society  have 
given  the  control.  Reverence  his  ivishcs  even  when  you  do  not 
his  opinions.  Opportunities  enough  will  arise  for  the  expres 
sion  of  your  independence,  to  which  he  will  gladly  accede,  with 
out  a  contest  for  trifles.  The  beautiful  independence  that  soars 
over  and  conquers  an  irritable  temper  is  higher  than  any  other. 
So  surely  as  you  believe  faults  of  temper  are  beneath  prayer 
and  self-examination,  you  are  on  dangerous  ground  ;  a  fountain 
will  spring  up  on  your  household  hearth,  of  bitter  and  troubled 
waters. 

When  this  conviction  came  over  me  I  threw  myself  on  my 
knees,  and  prayed  to  God  for  a  gentle,  submissive  temper. 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  385 

After  long  and  earnest  inquiry  into  my  own  heart,  I  left  my 
chamber  calm  and  happy.  Edward  was  reading,  and  Growler 
stood  beside  him.  I  approached  them  softly,  and  patting  the 
dog's  head,  said,  u  So,  Growler,  helping  your  master  to  read  ?" 
Edward  looked  at  me  inquiringly.  lam  sure  my  whole  expres 
sion  of  face  was  changed ;  he  drew  me  to  him  in  silence,  and 
gave  me  a  token  of  regard  he  never  bestowed  on  Growler. 
From  that  moment,  though  I  might  wince  a  little  at  his  inroads 
on  my  neat  housekeeping,  I  never  gave  the  dog  an  angry  word, 
and  I  taught  Fairy  to  regard  him  as  one  of  the  lords  of  the 
creation. 

Growler's  intelligence  was  remarkable,  although  it  did  not 
equal  that  of  Sir  ^Walter  Scott's  bull-dog  terrier,  Camp,  who 
could  perceive  the  meaning  of  words,  and  who  understood  an 
allusion  to  an  offence  he  had  committed  against  the  baker,  for 
which  he  had  been  punished.  In  whatever  voice  and  tone  it 
was  mentioned,  he  would  get  up  and  retire  into  the  darkest  part 
of  the  room  with  an  air  of  distress.  But  if  you  said,  "  The  ba 
ker  was  not  hurt  after  all,"  Camp  came  forth  from  his  hiding- 
place,  capered,  barked,  and  rejoiced.  Growler,  however,  had 
many  of  those  properties  of  observation  which  raise  the  canine 
race  so  high  in  the  affections  of  man. 

When  Edward  made  his  forenoon  sortie  from  the  office  to 
look  at  his  sleeping  boy,  Growler  always  accompanied  him,  and 
rested  his  fore-paws  on  the  head  of  the  cradle.  As  the  babe 
grow  older,  he  loved  to  try  experiments  upon  the  dog's  sagacity 
and  the  child's  courage. 

Sometimes  Fred  was  put  into  a  basket,  and  Growler  drew 
him  carefully  about  the  room  with  a  string  between  his  teeth  ; 
as  the  boy  advanced  in  strength,  he  was  seated  on  the  dog's 
back  with  a  whip  in  his  hand.  When  my  attachment  to  Growler 
increased,  new  experiments  were  made,  particularly  after  the 

17 


386  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

birth  of  Martha.  She  was  an  exquisite  little  infant,  and  it 
seemed  to  us  that  the  dog  was  more  gentle  ami  tender  in  his 
movements  with  her  than  with  Frederick.  When  two  months 
old,  Edward  sometimes  arranged  a  shawl  carefully  about  her, 
tied  it  strongly,  and  putting  the  knot  between  the  dog's  teeth, 
sent  her  across  the  room  to  me.  No  mother  ever  carried  a  child 
more  skilfully.  Of  course  all  these  associations  attached  him 
to  the  infant,  and  after  a  while  he  deserted  the  rug,  where  Fairy 
again  established  herself,  and  laid  himself  down  to  sleep  by  the 
infant's  cradle. 

There  is  nothing  more  picturesque  than  the  image  of  an  in 
fant  and  a  large  dog.  Every  one  has  felt  it.  The  little  plump 
hand  looks  smaller  and  whiter  in  his  rough  hair,  and  the  round 
dimpled  cheek  rests  on  his  shaggy  coat — like  a  flower  on  a  rock. 

Edward  and  I  and  Frederick  rode  one  afternoon  to  Roxbury 
to  take  tea  with  a  friend.  Our  woman  in  the  kitchen  wished 
to  pass  the  night  with  a  sick  person  after  the  evening's  lecture, 
and  I  felt  no  hesitation  in  leaving  Martha  to  Polly's  care.  We 
were  prevented,  by  an  accidental  delay,  from  returning  until 
ten  o'clock.  The  ride  over  the  neck,  although  it  was  fine 
sleighing,  appeared  uncommonly  long,  for  I  had  never  been  so 
far  and  so  long  from  my  infant.  The  wind  was  sharp  and  frosty, 
but  my  attention  was  beguiled  by  sheltering  Frederick  with  my 
furs,  who  soon  fell  asleep,  singing  his  own  little  lullaby.  As 
we  entered  the  Square  we  perceived  that  the  neighboring  houses 
were  closed  for  the  night,  and  no  light  visible,  but  a  universal 
brilliancy  through  the  crevices  of  our  parlor-shutters.  Our 
hearts  misgave  us.  I  uttered  an  involuntary  cry,  and  Edward 
•said,  that  "  a  common  fire-light  could  not  produce  such  an  ef 
fect."  He  urged  his  horse,- — we  reached  the  house, — I  sprang 
from  the  sleigh  to  the  door.  It  was  fastened.  We  knocked 
with  violence.  There  was  no  answer  We  looked  through  a 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  38*7 

small  aperture,  and  both  screamed  in  agony  c:  fire  !"  In  vain 
Edward  attempted  to  wrench  the  bolt  or  burst  the  door,  that 
horrible  light  still  gleaming  on  us.  We  flew  to  the  side-door, 
and  I  then  recollected  that  a  window  was  usually  left  open  in 
that  quarter,  in  a  room  which  communicated  with  the  parlor, 
for  the  smoke  to  escape  when  the  wind  prevailed  in  the  quarter 
it  had  done  this  day.  The  window  was  open,  and  as  Edward 
threw  down  logs  that  we  might  reach  it,  we  heard  a  stifled  howl. 
We  mounted  the  logs,  and  could  just  raise  our  heads  to  the  win 
dow.  Oh,  heavens  !  what  were  our  emotions,  as  we  saw  Growler 
with  his  fore-paws  stationed  on  the  window,  holding  Martha 
safely  with  her  night-dress  between  his  teeth,  ready  to  spring  at 
the  last  extremity,  and  suspending  the  little  cherub  so  carefully 
that  she  thought  it  but  one  of  his  customary  gambols !  With 
a  little  effort  Edward  reached  the  child,  and  Growler,  springing 
to  the  ground,  fawned  and  grovelled  at  our  feet. 

Edward  alarmed  the  neighborhood  and  entered  the  window. 
Poor  Polly  had  fainted  in  the  entry  from  the  close  atmosphere 
and  excess  of  terror.  She  could  give  no  account  of  the  origin 
of  the  fire,  unless  she  had  dropped  a  spark  on  the  window-cur 
tain.  The  moment  a  blaze  appeared  she  endeavored  to  extin 
guish  it ;  "  but,"  said  she,  "  the  flames  ran  like  wild-fire ;  and 
when  I  found  I  could  do  nothing,  I  snatched  Martha  from  the 
cradle,  and  ran  into  the  entry  to  go  out  by  the  back-door ;  after 
that  I  recollect  nothing." 

With  prodigious  efforts  the  house  was  saved,  though  with  a 
great  loss  of  furniture.  But  what  were  pecuniary  losses  that 
night  to  us?  We  were  sheltered  by  a  hospitable  neighbor;  our 
little  cherub  was  clasped  in  our  arms,  amid  smiles  and  tears  ; 
and  Growler,  our  good  Growler,  with  a  whimpering  dream,  lay 
sleeping  at  our  feet. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

FACTS    AND    REFLECTIONS. 

Mistress  of  herself,  though  china  fall. 
POPE. 

But  see,  the  well-plumed  hearse  comes  nodding  on. 
BLAIR'S  GRAVK. 

EVERY  housekeeper  has  experienced  what  is  called  a  "  break 
ing  season,"  when  the  centre  of  gravitation  seems  shaken,  as  far 
as  crockery  is  concerned.  Such  an  era  followed  the  departure 
of  Hannah  Sanders,  who  left  me  to  reside  with  a  minister's 
lady. 

I  will  offer  no  excuse  for  this  subject,  since  it  forms  the 
point  of  discussion  for  half  my  sex  in  their  select  circles,  and 
constitutes,  in  some  measure,  the  conversational  boundary  line 
between  men  and  women.  True  to  my  character  of  house 
keeper,  let  me  proceed. 

Compassion  and  interest  induced  me  to  offer  the  situation  of 
cook  to  a  Mrs.  Sliter,  whose  husband  had  recently  died  in  the 
neighborhood.  She  was  one  of  those  persons  who  may  look 
decently  in  new  crape,  but  who  generally,  with  a  great  display 
of  pins  on  their  waist  and  sleeves,  put  them  nowhere  else  ;  or 
who  apply  them  as  if  totally  ignorant  of  the  "  fitness"  of  dress, 
as  well  as  of  things.  I  took  her  as  a  forlorn  hope — one  of 
those  experiments  that  New-England  ladies  are  so  constantly 
obliged  to  make  of  the  morals  and  dispositions  of  strangers. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE.  389 

Edward  was  detained  late  at  court  the  day  on  which  she  came, 
and  I  ordered  some  hashed  lamb  and  roasted  potatoes  for  his 
supper.  Mrs.  Sliter,  with  the  hash  in  one  hand  and  the  hot 
potatoes  in  the  other,  issued  from  the  kitchen,  but  unfortunately 
turned  towards  the  cellar  instead  of  the  parlor  passage.  We 
were  startled  by  a  sudden  noise,  and  hastened  to  the  kitchen ; 
but  neither  cook  nor  viands  were  there,  and  we  heard  a  stifled 
voice  from  the  cellar,  crying,  "  Marcy  me,  marcy  me  !"  Fol 
lowing  the  sound,  and  descending  the  stairs,  we  found  Mrs. 
Sliter  lying  at  the  foot,  who  with  her  meat  and  potatoes  had 
rolled  down  into  the  ash-heap,  and,  in  attempting  to  rise,  pulled 
over  a  barrel  of  soft  soap. 

It  is  difficult  to  describe  her  appearance  as  she  arose  from 
this  alkaline  immersion.  The  soap  trickled  from  the  deep  frill 
of  her  widow's  cap  in  streams  over  her  cheeks,  and  commingling 
with  the  ashes,  left  scarcely  a  trace  of  the  "  human  face  divine ;" 
and  what  added  to  the  grotesqueness  of  the  scene  was  her  hold 
ing  up  the  mutton  dish  unharmed.  How  this  was  accomplished 
in  her  necessary  gyrations  down  a  deep  flight  of  stairs,  we 
never  could  comprehend.  Her  complaints  were  eloquent 
enough,  mingled  with  some  irritability  at  our  ill-restrained 
laughter. 

In  arranging  the  bed-rooms  the  following  morning  she  broke 
a  toilet  glass,  and  was  in  still  deeper  consternation. 

"  Oh,  Miss  Packard,"  she  cried,  "  there  will  sartainfy  be  a 
death  in  the  family.  It  was  only  two  months  ago,  poor  Mr. 
Sliter  that's  dead  and  gone  broke  his  shaving  glass,  and  you  see 
what's  come  on't.  I'm  left,  as  it  were,  a  poor  lone  vider^  with 
out  a  partner ;  and  it  was  but  a  year  ago  that  my  neighbor,  Miss 
Stone,  that  keeps  the  wittle  (victual)  house,  broke  her  parlor- 
glass,  and  that  same  day,  as  she  was  cJiawing  some  fish,  a  bone 
choked  her,  and  she  was  as  good  as  dead  for  an  hour." 


390  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

To  verify  Mrs.  Sliter's  prediction,  Polly,  a  month  from  the 
date  of  the  broken  toilet-glass,  heard  of  the  death  of  a  great- 
uncle  whom  she  had  never  seen,  and  Mrs.  Sliter  went  about  the 
house  with  a  self-congratulatory  cackle  at  the  birth  of  the  dis 
aster.  To  me,  however,  the  prediction  of  trouble,  if  not  of 
death,  seemed  realized.  Piece  after  piece  of  my  dinner  set  (a 
rare  and  beautiful  style  at  the  time,  white  ground  with  a  rose- 
colored  vine  on  the  edge),  came  tinkling  on  my  ears  with  a 
sound  that  a  housewife  can  detect  from  afar. 

I  early  obliged  myself  not  to  stir  on  such  occasions.  If  one 
can  sit  still  a  few  moments,  quietly  lay  down  a  book,  or  fold  up 
one's  work,  or  knit  to  the  middle  of  one's  needle,  there  is  a 
favorable  prospect  of  keeping  the  temper  smooth  ;  but  as  surely 
as  you  start  up  with  "  there,  now,"  your  feminine  dignity  is 
gone.  I  had  a  friend  who  once  conquered  an  irritable  temper 
by  obliging  herself  to  count  twenty  when  under  sudden  excite 
ment. 

Mrs.  Sliter's  next  feat  was  to  lose  the  balance  of  the  break 
fast-tray,  and  deposit  the  whole  apparatus  on  the  floor.  Every 
housekeeper  will  give  me  their  sympathy  when  I  describe  to 
them  my  sugar-bowl  without  a  cover,  my  cream-pot  without  a 
handle,  my  coffee-pot  indented  at  the  side,  and  an  nnmatching 
slop-bowl  called  in  from  the  kitchen  to  complete  the  muster-roll. 

An  honest,  open  breakage,  one  can  bear  with  a  tolerable 
grace,  but  it  is  hard  to  be  the  subject  of  duplicity  as  well  as 
carelessness.  Mrs.  Sliter's  favorite  practice  was  to  conceal  the 
results  of  her  organ  of  destructiveness,  until  they  were  dis 
covered  in  some  nook  or  corner,  in  the  form  of  irregular  trian 
gles  of  glass  or  china.  Frederick,  who  was  a«  great  a  collector 
of  old  china,  in  his  way,  as  Monkbarns,  discovered,  in  Mrs. 
Sliter's  short  but  emphatic  reign,  treasure  upon  treasure ;  and 
his  broken  dishes,  as  he  called  the  pieces  of  crockery,  were 


A  NEW  ENGLAND  BRIDE  AND  HOUSEKEEPER.       391 

gathered  up  from  the  cellar,  the  ash-heap,  the  wood-house,  and 
every  other  spot  where  his  busy  little  feet  resorted  for  what  is 
miscalled  mischief.  At  length,  one  day,  he  brought  in  a  sample 
to  his  grandmother,  who  was  visiting  us.  The  moment  she  saw 
it  she  detected  the  cup,  the  very  teacup  from  which  Dr.  Frank 
lin  had  cnce  drunk.  It  had  been  a  family  boast,  and  she  had 
given  it  to  me  at  my  earnest  solicitation.  My  mother  was 
really  affected  ;  she  took  Frederick  in  her  arms,  and  told  him 
the  story  of  the  cup ;  how  Benjamin  Franklin  sat  and  talked 
with  her  parents  as  he  sipped  his  tea ;  how  her  mother  whis 
pered  to  her  that  he  was  &  great  man;  how  she  took  the  cup 
from  his  hand,  and  said,  "  No  one  shall  use  this  again." 

We  were  all  silent  as  she  sat  polishing  the  fragment  with  her 
pocket-handkerchief,  and  even  the  boy  laid  it  aside  carefully. 

To  heighten  my  troubles  at  this  period,  I  found  the  contents 
of  my  decanters  sensibly  lowered,  and  perceived  that  Mrs. 
Sliter  was  frequently  intoxicated.  When  accused  of  purloining 
the  liquor  she  denied  it  until  the  proof  became  too  glaring,  and 
when  no  longer  able  to  evade,  said  to  me,  "  Miss  Packard, 
you're  the  unfeelingest  person  I  ever  see,  to  speak  so  onkind  to 
a  lone  vider  that  ain't  got  no  consolation,  and  vishes  to  raise 
her  sperits.  I  ain't  a  going  to  stay  with  a  person  that  be 
grudges  every  mouthful  that's  ate  and  drank,  and  you  needn't 
expect  me  to  give  you  a  character,  for  I  shan't  recommend  your 
house  to  nobody." 

She  decamped  in  violent  wrath,  and  we  were  thrown  for  sev 
eral  weeks  on  our  own  resources. 

There  could  scarcely  be  a  more  striking  illustration  of  the 
lamentable  dependence  of  housekeepers  on  servants,  than  in  the 
obligation  I  felt  myself  under  when  deserted  by  Hannah,  to 
take  under  my  roof  this  woman,  with  whose  character  and  dis 
position  I  was  so  little  acquainted.  Mrs.  Sliter  was  the  wife 


392  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

of  a  wood-sawyer,  and  sent  for  me  in  haste,  as  a  neighbor,  to  see 
her  after  her  husband's  decease.  I  went  with  as  much  promp 
titude  as  possible.  Mr.  Sliter  had  died  in  a  fit  of  drunkenness, 
and  his  bloated  body  was  laid  out  in  all  the  state  that  extreme 
poverty  could  assume,  in  the  small  apartment,  the  common  bed 
room  and  parlor  of  the  miserable  pair.  In  an  old  chair,  from 
which  hung  the  broken  rushes,  sat  his  wife,  rocking  in  the  rest 
lessness  of  unoccupied  grief. 

I  took  her  hand,  and  was  about  offering  her  consolation ;  but 
her  sorrow  was  not  of  that  sort  that  breaks  the  heart  in  silence, 
and  I  was  interrupted  by  her  dolorous  voice,  preceded  by  a 
long-drawn  sigh. 

"  Death   is  a  dreadful  thing,  ma'am.      Mr.  Sliter,  poor  man, 
that's  dead  and  gone,  and  I  have  lived  nigh  twenty  year  to 
gether.     It's  hard  to  be  left  a  lone  voman,  as  it  vere.     He  was 
nobody's  enemy  but  his  own.     I  shall  be  a  lone  body  indeed,"- 
and  she  put-  her  handkerchief  to  the  corners  of  both  eyes. 

I  commenced  once  more  the  usual  common-place  attempts  at 
consolation,  when  looking  up,  she  said  briskly,  "  Miss  Packard, 
do  viders  vear  weih  now  ?" 

This  miserable  attempt  at  the  semblance  of  mourning  first 
led  me  to  speculate  on  the  propriety  of  black  apparel  for 
the  bereaved.  If  our  friends  are  virtuous,  and  our  belief  in 
Christianity  sincere,  why  assume  a  mourning  robe,  when  they 
are  clothed  in  the  white  garments  of  immortality?  Why  shroud 
our  heads,  when  theirs  are  crowned  with  amaranthine  wreaths  ? 
Why  utter  sighs  of  woe,  when  they  are  hymning  to  celestial 
harps,  amid  celestial  choirs  ?  And  when  a  case  occurs  where 
those  who  should  have  loved  us  have  rent  our  hearts  by  sin,  or 
broken  them  by  harshness,  and  the  weary  spirit  shrinking  from 
observation,  turns  on  itself  to  commune  in  silence,  why  assume 
the  ostentation  of  regret  before  an  unsympathizing  world  ? 


A  NEW  ENGLAND  BRIDE  AND  HOUSEKEEPER.       393 

Yet  let  me  not  treat  lightly  or  harshly  a  prejudice  founded 
on  the  delicate  impulses  of  nature.  Perhaps  the  hand  that 
writes  these  strictures  might  be  the  first  to  mould  those  sombre 
monuments  which  affection  raises  to  departed  friends,  and  would 
be  the  last  to  lay  aside  the  time-honored  associations  that  clus 
ter  in  the  day  of  earthly  separation. 

However  this  may  be,  Mrs.  Sliter,  with  a  veil  of  proper  di 
mensions,  followed  him  to  the  grave  who  had  thrice  kicked  her 
out  of  doors  ;  actually,  if  not  nominally,  caused  the  death  of 
her  only  infant  by  brutality  ;  left  her  whom  God  and  society 
demanded  him  to  support,  a  miserable  pauper,  and  gone  down 
to  the  tomb,  a  bloated  carcass,  to  meet  the  changes,  for  weal  or 
woe  of  an  endless  immortality. 

17* 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

A   TEMPERANCE   LECTURE   TO   MY   COUSIN    WILLIAM. 

She  could  go  near  the  precipice,  nor  dread 
A  failing  caution,  or  a  giddy  head ; 
She'd  fix  her  eyes  upon  the  roaring  flood, 
And  dance  upon  the  brink  where  danger  stood. 

The  Borough. 

IT  seems  to  me  a  dream,  that  I  once  cleansed  and  replenished 
a  gin  and  brandy  decanter  every  Saturday  morning.  My 
"  swords  are  turned  into  ploughshares,  and  my  spears  into 
pruning  hooks  ;"  for  there  they  stand,  the  pictures  of  innocence, 
converted  into  water-crafts  and  molasses  bottles. 

Let  every  housekeeper  seriously  look  back  through  her  past 
experience,  and  ask  herself  how  many  individuals  (unintention 
ally  of  course)  she  has  led  into  temptation  with  these  polished 
seducers  :  and  if  she  has  herself  escaped  a  pit  where  so  many 
of  the  bright  and  good  have  fallen,  offer  up  a  prayer  of  thank 
fulness. 

I  know  not  how  others  may  have  felt,  but  my  soul  has  often 
been  wrung  with  anguish  at  the  utter  hopelessness  of  prevent 
ing  any  individual,  who  has  betrayed  a  tendency  to  intem 
perance,  from  plunging  daily  further  and  further  into  sin,  when 
the  means  were  spread  out  before  him,  leaving  unchecked  his 
vitiated  taste. 

Edward,  like  others,  provided  liquors  for  his  sideboard,  but 


11ECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE.  39£ 

only  drank  them  as  the  compliment  which  society  demanded 
with  his  guests.  William  Ingols,  my  cousin,  an  interesting 
young  man,  entered  his  office  as  a  student,  and  resided  with  u.s. 
He  was  confiding  and  communicative,  and  I  soon  began  to  love 
him  as  a  member  of  our  household.  At  his  first  dinner  Edward 
joined  him  in  a  glass  of  brandy  and  water;  on  succeeding  day.s 
he  took  it  unsolicited  ;  in  a  short  time  he  drank  at  the  side 
board  before  dinner;  and,  in  a  few  weeks,  repeated  the  draught, 
at  bedtime. 

I  asked  Edward's  advice  on  what  was  to  be  done.  He  ans 
wered  with  a  smile,  "  You  are  a  woman,  and  can  manage  these 
things  better  than  I.  Talk  with  Ingols  on  the  subject.  You 
know  my  detestation  of  this  genteel  tippling,  but  I  have  no 
authority  over  him." 

A  fair  opportunity  oifered,  in  Edward's  necessary  absence  at 
a  circuit  court  for  a  week,  to  speak  on  the  subject  without  im 
plicating  my  husband. 

As  Ingols  was  visiting  the  sideboard  as  usual,  and  (what 
seems  to  me  an  alarming  symptom)  covering  the  lower  part  of 
the  tumbler  with  his  hand,  I  asked  him,  with  a  little  hesitation, 
if  he  drank  brandy  for  his  health. 

"  I  cannot  say  that  I  do,"  said  he,  smiling.  "  Will  you  take 
a  little  for  yours,  cousin  ?" 

"  No,  I  thank  you,"  said  I ;  "  I  am  afraid  of  it." 

-  Afraid  of  it,  cousin  ?  It  will  not  hurt  you.  You  would 
be  all  the  better  for  a  little  tonic." 

"  A  little  tonic  might  not  hurt  me,  cousin  William,  but  I 
fear  being  tempted.  I  distrust  my  own  strength  of  character." 

"  Pshaw !  you  are  not  serious  !  I  have  been  drinking  a  litth 
several  years." 

"  Why  do  you  drink  if?"  I  asked.  "  Your  mind  is  naturally 
active,  your  conversation  agreeable,  you  have  no  mental  or 


396  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

bodily  suffering,  and  you  have  a  thousand  rational  modes  of 
enjoyment.  If  you  will  only  look  into  your  own  feelings,  you 
will  find  a  cormorant  settling  over  them,  whose  guilty  cry  is 
'  give,  give  !'  " 

"  You  are  a  sweet  monitor,  cousin  Clara  ;  I  believe  I  must 
take  a  little  brandy,  if  it  is  only  to  hear  you  scold  so  prettily." 

"  Oh,  Ingols,"  I  answered,  "  do  not.  in  mercy  to  yourself, 
treat  this  subject  so  lightly.  Why  society  tolerates  its  abuse, 
I  know  not.  I  see  already  a  look  directed  to  that  bottle  when 
you  are  about  to  pour  out  its  libations  to  your  incipient  sensual 
desires,  which  speaks  an  awkward  consciousness.  You  are 
already  screening  the  quantity  you  take.  If  you  love  my 
schooling,  hear  it  plainly.  Your  manly  and  graceful  form  will 
soon  begin  to  lose  its  firmness,  your  brilliant  eyes  shine  with  a 
drunkard's  glassy  inexpressiveness,  and  your  mind 

— "  where  God  lias  set  his  seal 
To  give  the  world  assurance  of  a  man," 

reduced  to  childishness,  worse  than  childishness,  since  its  weak 
ness  will  have  no  redeeming  innocence." 

""But,  Mrs.  Packard,"  said  Ingols,  "  you  forget  how  many 
indulge  in  ardent  spirits  without  injury." 

"  I  do  not  forget  that,  William,  but  I  remember  more  vividly 
how  many  have  been  destroyed,  soul  and  body,  while  these 
moderate  drinkers,  favored  perhaps  by  constitutional  resistance, 
have  been  unscathed  by  the  burning  trial.  But  they  will  not 
escape,  cousin  William ;  they  cannot  escape  His  eyes  who 
watches  motives  rather  than  deeds.  They  may  be  strong 
enough  to  carry  until  death  the  unrighteous  banner  of  the 
drunkard  without  reeling,  while  others  are  falling  on  the  right 
hand  and  on  the  left,  but  they  lead  the  way  to  the  destruction 
of  others,  and  they  must  answer  for  it." 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  SO/ 

"  My   dear  cousin,"    said  Ingols,  "  you  take  this  matter  too 
seriously.     You  make  a  bugbear  of  a  trifle." 

"  A  trifle  !"  I  exclaimed  ;  ';  call  not  that  a  trifle  which  rifles 
the  mind  and  body  of  their  best  gifts.  If  I  were  permitted,  I 
would  go  (not  in  thewildness  of  quixotism,  but  in  the  spirit  of 
him  who  drove  the  profaners  from  God's  temple)  and  destroy 
every  implement  like  tJtat  before  you,  which  attracts  you  and 
others  from  the  simplicity  of  nature.  They  disgrace  our  homes, 
they  deform  the  purity  of  domestic  scenes,  and  often  convert 
them  into  bacchanalian  orgies.  I  had  a  friend  once,  William, 
young  and  lovely;  such  a  one  as  your  warm  heart  would  have 
loved,  and  your  discriminating  mind  would  have  appreciated. 
She  received  a  shock  from  the  early  disappointment  of  her  af 
fections,  pined,  sickened,  and  drooped  like  a  withering  flower. 
Would  to  God  she  had  died  in  the  unstained  paleness  of  her 
beauty  !  Tonics  were  recommended,  and  as  medicine  they  were 
right.  Her  health  was  restored,  and  all  would  have  been  well, 
had  they  not  been  spread  out  among  the  wants  and  luxuries  of 
life.  Her  sensual  appetite  increased.  I  sicken  as  I  remember 
the  miserable  subterfuges  that  marred  her  fair  character,  first 
chilling  the  confidence  of  friends,  and  then  by  open  exposures 
disgracing  them.  The  enemy  wrought  surely,  baffled  but  not 
subdued  by  reproaches,  by  sarcasms,  by  entreaties,  by  the  shun 
ning  eye  of  retreating  friendship,  by  the  agonizing  appeals  of  a 
dying  conscience.  She  died  a  drunkard.  Her  mother  wept 
bitterer  tears  than  should  ever  fall  over  a  daughter's  grave  ; 
her  sister's  cheek  paled  with  a  sorrow  sadder  than  grief;  and 
her  father,  I  tremble  while  I  say  it,  cursed  his  first-born  child." 
Ingols  had  not  tasted  his  draught  while  I  was  speaking,  but 
held  it  in  his  hand,  and  when  I  ceased,  quietly  placed  it  on  the 
table  and  said,  "  Cousin,  I  have  not  the  heart  to  drink  this  now, 
and  will  give  it  up  if  only  to  please  you." 


398  RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE. 

:{  You  are  not  angry,  then."  I  said,  eagerly. 

'•  Angry  ?  no."  he  replied.  ;-  How  can  I  be  angry  with  a  true 
friend,  and  a  lady  too  ?:)  with  a  low  bow. 

u  Thank  you."  said  I.  "  and  now  that  I  have  gone  thus  far. 
may  I  proceed  ?'' 

;-  Yes.  cousin.  I  give  you  carte  Uanche" 

'•  I  shall  do  it  by  actions,  not  words."  I  said,  with  solemnity : 
"  and  I  warn  you  to  be  prepared,  for  I  have  solemnly  pledged 
myself  in  prayer  to  God  that  I  will  never  again  aid  the  cause 
of  the  destroying  angel.  But  promise  me  (not  that  I  claim  any 
right  over  you  but  that  of  interest  in  your  welfare)  that  you  will 
abstain  from  ardent  spirits,  now  in  the  sunshine  of  your  youth. 
'  before  the  evil  days  come.'  " 

Ingols  hesitated,  reflected,  and  promised  half  earnestly,  half 
jestingly. 

On  the  following  day.  no  decanter  was  to  be  seen  on  my  side 
board  or  table,  and  I  carried  the  keys  up  stairs.  Ingols  was 
very  amiable,  and  our  week  passed  happily  away.  Edward  re 
turned,  and  took  no  notice  of  the  withdrawal  of  the  decanters. 

I  had  retired  to  my  bedroom  early  one  evening,  when  I  heard 
Ingols  enter,  and  ask  Polly  for  the  keys.  She  came  up  stairs, 
and  I  gave  them  to  her  in  silence.  I  heard  her  transfer  them 
to  him.  and  held  my  breath.  He  opened  the  door.  I  trembled 
so  much  that  I  could  not  stand.  /  lw.d  emptied  every  decanter. 
I  heard  the  rattling  of  the  keys  as  the  door  closed,  and  a  faint- 
ness  came  over  me  at  my  own  daring.  A  half-hour  passed 
away,  and  Polly  came  back  with  a  slip  of  paper,  on  which  was 
written.  -  You  have  conquered,  cousin.  I  thank  you.  and  thank 
God." 

I  burst  into  tears,  and  sobbed  as  if  my  heart  would  break ; 
nor  was  I  relieved  until  Edward  returned  and  said  he  loved  me 
better  for  my  moral  courage. 


CHAPTER   XV. 

CONCLUSION. 

Frae  morn  to  e'en  it's  naught  but  toiling, 
At  baking,  roasting,  frying,  boiling. 

The  Tva  Dogs. 

THE  successor  of  Mrs.  Sliter  was  Sukey  Hopkins,  an  untamed 
damsel  from  Xantucket :  and  as  Edward  required  some  attend 
ance  at  the  office,  he  engaged  a  friend  of  hers.  Aaron  Wheeler, 
who  had  driv  her  down,  to  remain  with  us.  I  passed  every 
forenoon  for  a  month  in  the  kitchen,  to  initiate  her  in  cookery : 
and  even  after  that  period  was  obliged  to  be  with  her  whenever 
I  had  guests,  of  course  at  the  period  when  I  ought  to  have  been 
most  unincumbered  with  care.  I  was  obliged  to  watch  the  last 
turn  of  the  spit,  and  the  last  bubble  of  the  boiling  gravy,  and 
even  lay  the  meats  in  their  right  position :  for  know,  inexperi 
enced  reader,  that  a  lady  may  as  excusably  stand  on  her  own 
head  at  her  table,  as  have  her  turkey  or  goose  in  an  unauthor 
ized  posture.  One  bleak  autumnal  day  we  had  company  to 
dine :  but  I  became  so  much  heated  with  my  business  and  anx- 
ietv  as  not  to  dream  of  the  necessity  of  a  fire.  Just  live  min 
utes  before  dinner  was  carried  in.  I  ran  up  stairs,  changed  my 
dress,  and  seizing  a  fan.  descended  to  the  drawing-room.  My 
zeal  in  fanning  was  proportioned  to  the  kitchen  thermometer ; 
and  it  was  not  until  I  detected  a  shiver  in  a  lady  who  sat  within 


400  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

the  influence  of  my  JMus,  as  Edward  prettily  called  a  fan,  that 
I  perceived  my  faux  pas. 

The  day  after  Aaron's  induction  into  his  duties,  I  went  to 
Coriiliill,  shopping;  and  Edward  left  word  with  him  that  if  a 
certain  gentleman  called,  he  must  ask  him  in  to  sit  until  he 
came.  When  Edward  opened  the  door,  what  should  he  behold 
but  Aaron,  sitting  with  his  feet  on  the  fender,  entertaining  Mr. 
—  with  the  last  Nantucket  news  I 

A  few  e\7enings  succeeding  I  invited  company  to  tea.  I  was 
the  whole  morning  drilling  Sukey  and  Aaron,  and  as  I  went  to 
make  my  toilet,  I  said,  "  Be  very  careful,  Aaron,  that  the  ladies 
and  gentlemen  are  all  supplied  with  sugar  and  cream  in  their 
coffee."  When  the  company  had  assembled,  and  the  very  last 
visitor,  according  to  the  old  and  formidable  rule,  had  arrived 
and  was  seated,  Aaron  entered  with  his  tea  tray,  followed  by 
Sukey  with  the  cream  and  sugar.  He  walked  round  as  care- 
full}7  as  if  he  were  treading  on  eggs.  When  the  circuit  was 
over,  and  he  had  reached  the  door,  his  mind  seemed  to  misgive 
him ;  and  with  an  anxious  look,  standing  on  tiptoe,  he  said,  "  I 
say,  how  are  ye  on't  for  sugar  and  cream  in  that  corner  ?" 

On  that  memorable  evening,  a  lady  spilled  some  quince  syrup 
on  the  carpet,  when,  to  my  utter  dismay,  Sukey  set  the  waiter 
on  the  floor,  rushed  out,  and  brought  in  the  mop  to  wipe  it  up. 

I  have  inserted  these  lingering  reminiscences  in  this  chapter, 
to  show  that  the  most  skilful  housewifery  cannot  counteract  the 
mortification  and  embarrassment  of  our  present  system.  I  took 
infinite  pains  to  make  my  daughter  useful.  She  was  a  sweet, 

«ile  girl,  and   at  the  age  of  eleven  often  made   our  tea,  ar- 
ged  the  table,  and  assisted  in  handing  it  when  we  had  com 
pany  ;  but  notwithstanding  this  early  discipline,  the  awkward 
blending  of  lady  and  housewife  led  to  countless  anxieties  ;  in 
deed,  it  requires  an  omnipresent  eye  to  meet  one's  guests  with 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  401 

the  personal  welcome  they  demand,  while  providing  for  their 
grosser  wants.  How  many  girls-  like  Sukey  have  I  passed 
months  in  drilling,  when,  just  as  I  began  to  realize  the  effects 
of  my  care,  they  have  taken  a  sudden  whim  and  departed  !  How 
many  were  there  whom  I  never  could  teach,  whose  inattention 
or  wilfulness  rendered  me  miserable  !  How  much  hard  labor 
have  I  performed  while  paying  high  prices  for  that  of  others  ! 
What  then  can  be  done  to  remedy  this  evil  ?  It  is  the  opinion 
of  Adam  Smith,  and  an  humble  housekeeper  agrees  with  him, 
that  the  perfection  of  society  consists  in  the  division  of  labor. 

Is  it  not  monstrous  that  educated,  intelligent  women,  should 
be  obliged  to  give  over  their  children  to  the  care  of  servants, 
and  pass  their  days  in  the  most  menial  occupation  ?  And  must 
our  lovely  daughters  be  called  from  intellectual  or  graceful  ac 
complishments,  to  associate  with  the  vulgar  inmates  of  the 
kitchen  ? 

We  have  a  partial  system,  which  it  appears  to  me  might 
easily  be  carried  through  the  whole  order  of  social  life.  We 
have  our  chimney-sweeps,  our  wood-sawyers,  our  bakeries  ;  why 
not  have  our  grand  cooking-establishments,  our  scourers,  our 
window-cleaners,  &c  ?  I  will  give  one  example,  a  direct  one 
however,  of  the  helplessness  of  a  housekeeper  on  the  present 
plan  of  life.  She  perceives,  and  none  but  those  who  have  wit 
nessed  it  can  tell  how  irritating  is  the  feeling,  that  about  five 
hundred  panes  of  glass  in  her  house  require  washing.  How 
can  they  be  cleansed  ?  It  is  properly  a  man's  business,  but  she 
must  put  an  inexperienced  female  to  the  work  who  is  required 
for  a  hundred  other  things ;  one,  too,  who  perhaps  never  wiped, 
a  glass  before.  A  particular  set  of  cloths  is  required,  step-lad 
der,  hammer,  and  a  knack  at  cleaning  glass.  By  the  time  she 
has  accomplished  her  task,  which  is  probably  imperfectly  done 


402  RECOLLECTIONS    OF 

broken  a  few  panes,  and  left  the  sashes  loose  and  clattering, 
dust  and  flies  have  been  equally  active,  and  the  glide  man  be 
gins  to  say,  ';  My  dear,  our  windows  require  a  little  cleaning." 
What  a  cheering  sound  would  it  be  to  a  lady  so  circumstanced, 
if  she  could  hear  in  the  street  "  any  windows  to  clean  to-day  ?" 
or,  What  is  better,  know  where  to  send  to  an  establishment  for 
a  person  devoted  to  that  object. 

What  a  desideratum  is  a  cooking-establishment,  where  fam 
ilies  can  be  provided  with  prepared  food,  and  a  still  greater  to 
have  our  meals  brought  to  us,  now  that  the  improvements  in 
steam  can  give  them  hotter  than  from  our  own  hearths.  They 
could  probably  be  furnished  cheaper  than  on  the  present  plan. 
Our  husbands  would  no  longer  be  seen  haggling  with  butchers 
at  their  stalls,  or  balancing  raw  meat  in  the  open  streets  :  nor 
should  we  see  decent  women,  in  utter  uncertainty  of  their  din 
ners,  throwing  up  their  window-sashes  to  the  passing  country 
men,  with  '•  Mister,  what's  you  got  to-day  ?"  A  friend  could 
drop  in  without  disconcerting  a  family,  and  the  lady  of  the 
house  sit  without  a  thorn.  How  many  more  smiles  would  kin 
dle  up  around  the  domestic  board,  could  the  wife  be  assured 
of  her  husband's  comfort.  She  has  enough  to  do  in  the  agita 
ting  responsibility  of  her  maternal  cares  ;  her  little  ones  may 
be  sickly,  her  own  health  feeble.  Many  a  woman  breaks  and 
sinks  beneath  the  wear  and  tear  of  the  frame  and  the  affections. 
She  rallies  before  the  world,  and  "  her  children  rise  up  and  call 
her  blessed,"  and  she  is  blessed  in  the  conscious  attempt  to  dis 
charge  her  duty  ;  but  cares  eat  away  at  her  heart ;  the  day 
presses  on  her  with  new  toils,  the  night  comes,  and  they  are 
unfulfilled ;  she  lies  down  in  weariness,  and  rises  with  uncer 
tainty  ;  her  smiles  become  languid  and  few,  and  her  husband 
wonders  at  the  gloominess  of  his  home. 


A    NEW    ENGLAND    BRIDE    AND    HOUSEKEEPER.  403 

How  great  a  duty  is  it,  then,  to  study  modes  of  comfort,  and 
preserve  the  song  of  cheerfulness  in  the  routine  of  domestic  in 
dustry.  It  is  not  below  the  task  of  legislation,  if  legislation  is 
a  study  of  the  order  and  happiness  of  a  community,  or  if  legis 
lators  would  have  neat  houses,  good  dinners,  and  smiling  wives. 


THE     END. 


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